
■** v * v ^ :; •-' 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
.^ The Library of Congress ' .V 















A 



& * 






<y ^ 






A *t> 



http://www.archive.org/details/manofpeopledrama01dixo 



***** 




4 O 



* 9 V 




4 o 





















A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 



BOOKS BY THOMAS DIXON 

A Man of the People 
i A play) 

The Way of a Man 

The Fall of a Nation 

The Foolish Virgin 

The Victim 

The Southerner 

The Sins of the Father 

"The Leopard's Spots 

The Clansman 

(The Birth of a Nation) 

The Traitor 

The One Woman 

Comrades 

The Root of Evil 

The Life Worth Living 

Apple ton Books 

D . A P P L E T N & COMPANY 

Publisher? New York 



-j 



A MAN 
OF THE PEOPLE 

A DRAMA OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

BY 

THOMAS DIXON 

AUTHOR OF "THE BIRTH OP A NATION," "THE CLANSMAN " 
"THE LEOPARD'S SPOTS," ETC 




D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 

NEW YORK LONDON 

MCMXX 



COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY 

THOMAS DIXON 



©CI.A371763 



PRINTED Dl THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

JUL 26 1920 



TO 

WILLIAM HARRIS, Jr. 

WHOSE COURAGE AND HIGH IDEALS AS A 

PRODUCER GAVE TO THE AMERICAN 

STAGE THE EPOCH-MAKING PLAY 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN 



HISTORICAL NOTE 

While the popular conception of Lincoln as the Libera- 
tor of the Slave is true historically, there is a deeper view 
of his life and character. He was the savior, if not the 
real creator, of the American Union of free Democratic 
States. His proclamation of emancipation was purely an 
incident of war. The first policy of his administration 
was to save the Union. To this fact we owe a united 
Nation to-day. It is this truth of history which I try to 
make a living reality in my play. 

The scenes relating to the issues of our National life 
have been drawn from authentic records. The plot of 
the action is based on the letter of Colonel John Nicolay 
to Major Hay, dated August 25, 1864, in which the fol- 
lowing opening paragraph is found : 

"Hell is to pay. The New York politicians have 
got a stampede on that is about to swamp every- 
thing. Raymond and the National Committee 
are here to-day. R. thinks a Commission to 
Richmond is about the only salt to save us ; while 
the President sees and says it would be utter 
ruination. The matter is now undergoing con- 
sultation. Weak-kneed damned fools are in the 
movement for a new candidate to supplant the 
President. Everything is darkness, doubt, and 
discouragement." 

No liberty has been taken with an essential detail of 
history in the development of the action except to slightly 
shift the dates of two incidents for dramatic unity. In 
neither case does the change of date affect the validity of 
the scene as used. 

Thomas Dixon 
M 



DIVISION INTO ACTS 

Prologue: The Lincoln cabin in the woods of Indiana, 
1820. 

Act I : In the President's room, the morning of August 
23, 1864. 

Act II : The same, that evening. 

Act III: Scene 1. Jefferson Davis' room three days 
later, in Richmond. Morning. 
Scene 2. Same as Acts I and II. 

Epilogue — Victory. The Platform of the second Inau- 
guration, March 4, 1865, before the Capitol at 
Washington. 



[ix] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

PROLOGUE 



PERSONS OF THE PROLOGUE 

Abe A Boy of Ten. 

Sarah His Sister. 

Tom Lincoln His Father. 

Nancy His Mother. 

The Doctor An Old-fashioned Pioneer. 



fail] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 



PROLOGUE 

Set Scene: The rough-hewn log cabin of Tom Lincoln 
is seen in the center surrounded by the forest wilder- 
ness of Southern Indiana, 1820. 

The cabin door is cut in level with the ground. There 
is no shutter to the door and no window to the cabin. 

Right and Left of the door opening are rude benches 
of split logs. On the walls are stretched a coon and 
a small bear, squirrel and muskrat skins. In the 
foreground on the right is seen an old-fashioned 
wash pot set on three stones. Near the wash pot is 
fixed in the ground a pole, on the top of which are 
hung six gourds cut for martin swallows to nest in. 
Beside it are a rude bench and two wash tubs. On 
the left is a crude settee made of a split log with 
legs set in augur holes and a rough back made of 
saplings. An old-fashioned doctor s saddle-bags 
hang across the back of the settee. The trees are 
walnut, beech and oak — undergrowth of dogwood, 
sumac and wild grapevines. These vines, festooned 
over the cabin, give a sinister impression. A creek 
winds down through the hills behind the cabin. 

[1] 



A MAX OF THE PEOPLE 

At Rise: Sarah is seen softly tiptoeing tozvard the 
cabin door. She pauses, listens and slowly peeps in- 
side. She listens again and then slips away and 
calls. 

Sarah 
Abe! Abe! 

[Sarah goes back to the door and peeps in and runs 
to the gate.} 

Abe ! Ma's awake now ! 

[She returns to the door, peeps in again and runs 
once more to the gate.} 

Abe ! He's feelin' her pulse! Come on in — don't 

stay out there in the woods . . . 
[Abe enters slowly.] 

Abe 
What does he say ? 

Sarah 
He ain't said nothin' yet. 

Abe 
He's a dumb doctor, anyhow. I couldn't get him to say 
a word comin', last night. 

Sarah 
Well, he's here now, and there's his saddle-bags full of 
medicine. You've been ridin' all night — you look 
terrible tired ! Go to bed and sleep a little 

Abe 
I can't — while Ma's so sick- — I'm afraid to go to 

sleep 

Sarah 

Why ? 

Abe 

You know why — Sarah 

M 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Sarah 
Ah, she ain't goin' to die now. She's talkin' to the doctor 
— lie down just a little while and get to sleep before 

the sun comes up or ye can't sleep 

[Pleading.] 

— come on 

Abe 

No — I'm scared — the plague's killin' folks every day — 
and nobody knows what to do for 'em 

[The Doctor and Tom enter from the cabin and 
come down slowly — the Doctor seems to be de- 
bating his course of action.] 

Abe 
[Eagerly to Doctor.] 
You can do somethin' for her, Doctor? 

Doctor 
[Hesitates.] 
Yes — Get me a clean towel and a bowl 

Abe 
Run, Sarah — quick 

Sarah 
[Running to cabin.] 
Yes — I'll get 'em 

[The Doctor opens his saddle-bags, takes out his 
lancet and examines its keen point.] 

Tom 
What are ye goin' ter do with that knife ? 

[3] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Doctor 

Bleed her, of course — it's the only thing to do 

[Starts toward cabin.] 



Abe 



[To his father.] 
Don't let him do it ! 



Doctor 
What's that? 

Tom 
You shan't bleed her — I don't know nothin' 'bout doc- 
torin' — but I know that'll kill her 

Doctor 
I've a notion to give you the worst cussin' you ever had 
in your life, Tom Lincoln . . . 

Tom 
'Twouldn't do no good — Doctor 

Doctor 
[Throwing his arms up.] 
Twould do me good ! I've rode all night — thirty-five 
miles — from my home in Kentucky across the Ohio, 
into this wilderness, just for you to insult me 

Tom 

I didn't mean to 

Doctor 
Well, you're doin' it — and I'd give ye the cussin' that'ud 
pay me for my trouble comin' up here — if I hadn't 
heard what you've been doin' for your neighbors, in 

this plague. There's no doctor in thirty miles 

You've been the doctor and nurse — mother and 

[4] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

father to 'em all. And when they die, you go into 
the woods, cut down a tree, rip out the boards, make 
the coffin, dig the grave and lower the dead with a 
prayer — I'd like to cuss you, Tom Lincoln — but I 
can't — damn ye ! 

Tom 
I'm sorry, Doctor — but I just couldn't let ye bleed 

her 

Doctor 

All right — good-by 

[With a snort of anger, tlie Doctor throws his 
lancet into his saddle-bags, snaps them together, 
and starts for the gate.] 

Abe 

[Following the Doctor to gate.~\ 

Doctor ! 

Doctor 

What do ye want ? 

Abe 

{Seizing his hand.] 
Please don't go — I'm mighty sorry we made ye mad — 

I didn't go to do it — you see 

[He falters.] 
I love my Ma so, I just couldn't see ye cut her arm open. 

And Pa didn't mean to hurt yer feelin's — won't ye 

stay and help us? Can't ye do somethin' else for 

her ? 

[Pauses.] 
I'll pay ye ! I'll work for ye a whole — year 

Doctor 
You'd work for me a year? 

[5] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Abe 
[Eagerly.'] 
I'll work for ye five years if you'll just save her — just 
save her life — that's all — don't go — please, don't 

Doctor 
[The Doctor slips his arm around the boy, draws 
him close and holds him a moment.] 
You're a good boy, Abe 

Abe 

You'll stay ? 

Doctor 

I'd stay and do something if I could, Sonny, but to tell 
ye the truth, I don't know what to do — I'm not quite 
sure I'm right about the bleedin', or I'd stay and 

make you both help me 

[He pauses.] 

But I'm not sure ! I'm not sure! And I don't 

know what else to do — I've got no medicine — so I 
can't stay. All I can tell ye is to keep her warm — 
and give her everything good to eat that she can 
take — she's in God's hands — Good-by 

[The Doctor hurries through the gate — and leaves 
Abe and Tom gazing forlornly after him, as 
Sarah comes from the house.] 

Sarah 

I've got the towel and bowl all ready 

[Pauses.] 

What's the matter ? 

[Looks around.] 

Where's the doctor ? 

[6] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Abe 

He's gone 

Sarah 

Gone ? 

Tom 
Yes 



[Nancy enters by door of cabin.'] 

[Nancy's sudden appearance in the door swings 
Abe around with a quick cry of pain. The sun is 
tinging the eastern sky with the splendor of an 
Indian Summer morning. The mother's figure 
in blue homespun suggests against the dark back- 
ground of the cabin door the coming of a spirit 
from the unseen world. She pauses a moment in 
the doorway and smiles at her son.] 

Abe 

Oh, Ma, you mustn't 

Tom 
[Following.] 

Nancy ! 

Nancy 
I'm better, I'm a lot better 

Abe 
You're too sick to come out here, Ma 

Nancy 
[Smiling.] 
I can walk — as well as you can, — see 



[She sways slightly toward the settee.] 

Abe 
But the Doctor says you must keep warm — 

[7] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

CY 

V'.'i — I 
~e i: 

: . - : ' 



[Joyful] 



_ ::: 

;a:— -i ; 

Don*t try to waflc-H set :: ira 

[S: ; ' r '--: : ; ': : ::": " 









closer, staring eagerly into kis 



\ AXC - 



:: 
— v ■ ■• 



Nastcy 

Yes. 7:~— ir.: ::!:-. r :.,: : a I. a I - ir.: 



. .. — _ . . — . 



[Tom goes into the cabin worried over her.] 

AI 

Feel all right, Ma 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Nancy 

[She nods and breathes deeply — her eyes alight.'} 
I wanted to see the sun rise through the trees ! You 
remember the day you cut down your first tree to 
begin the clearing and the sunlight came through 
the hole you'd made to the sky 

Abe 
Yes — I remember. 

Nancy 
You called me to come and see it 

Abe 

[In a whisper.} 
Yes— 

Nancy 
I was proud that morning as I saw you stand with your 

ax on that big log — anything my boy starts to do — 

he does 

[Pauses. ] 
Your father taught you to use the ax and 

[Turns and looks at Abe.] 
Your father's a good man, my son — kind-hearted and 

true and everybody likes him. They made him road 

supervisor of his township in Kentucky once. If 

he could read and write he would have gone to the 

legislature 

[Tom enters from the cabin with the rock and 
Bible, he crosses to Nancy, and Abe takes the 
rock and puts it under her feet — Sarah kneels 
and helps him. Nancy's hand drops on the 

[9] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

bench. Tom picks up her hand, and the chill of 
it worries him.] 
[Abe and Sarah rise.] 

Nancy 
Read to me, son — I like to hear your voice 

Abe 
[Brightly.] 

All right — what ? 

Nancy 
The Twenty-third Psalm. 

[Abe looks for the place.] 
I love to hear you read, my boy. It means that you can 
do what any other man can — it means so much ! 

Abe 
[Reads.] 

The Lord is my shepherd — I shall not want. He maketh 
me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me 
beside still waters. He restoreth my soul. He 
leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his 

name's sake 

Nancy 
[In a whisper.] 

Yea, tho' I walk through the valley of the shadow of 

death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me 

[Abe stops, looks up at his mother in amazement.] 

Abe 

Ma 

Nancy 
Remember always, my boy, that God is with you! He 
is in the day and the night. He is in the sun and 
[10] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

the wind, the trees and the grass— and not a sparrow 
falls to the ground without He knows. You recol- 



lect the year you put up those gourds there 

[She points to the pole.] 

for your martins ? You cried when they circled 

away in the fall 

[Abe nods.] 
I told you God would send them back in the spring, 

didn't I ? 

[She laughs softly.] 
You said that He'd forget to tell them and they'd never 

find the way — but they came — didn't they ? 

Abe 
Yes, Ma, and I know now they'll come again next spring. 

Nancy 
So — I want you never again to doubt God, my boy, 
and I want you never to doubt yourself. Your bare 
feet, your ragged clothes, how poor you are — this is 
nothing! It doesn't count here — it's what you feel, 
it's what you believe — it's what you see that counts ! 
I've taught you to read and write, and now you can 

do anything! If God takes me 

[She pauses exhausted.] 

Abe 
But you mustn't say that, Ma ! 

Nancy 
"The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous al- 
together !" 

[ii] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Abe 
No! no, Ma! Don't talk that way! You'll give up if 

you do ! 

Nancy 
If He calls, my son, then my work is done — and you can 
do all I've tried and failed to do 

Abe 
[Alarmed.'] 

Had she better talk so much, Pa 

[Stoops to fix her feet.] 

Tom 
[Feeling her hand.] 

Nancy ! 

Nancy 

Just a minute more, Tom ! Don't let him know 

yet — you know ! 

Tom 
[With upward look of faith.] 

Yes, I know 

[To Abe.] 

It's all right — boy 

Nancy 

Come back close, my son, I want to tell you something 
I saw last night! I had a dream — the same one I 
had the night before you were born. You had 
grown a man — strong and brave — wise and gentle. 
The people hung on your words, and did you 
homage. But you remembered this cabin here in 
the deep woods and you were humble. I walked 
with you between two white pillars. It was still 

[12] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

and solemn, in there. Outside I could hear the peo- 
ple calling your name. You bowed low and whis- 
pered in my ear: "This is all yours, my Mother. 
I bought it for you with my life. All that I am 

I owe to you " 

[Her voice sinks to a whisper that is half a laugh 
of religious ecstasy.] 

Abe 
[Joyfully.] 
See how she's smilin' — Pa! She's getting well — I tell 

you ! 

Tom 
[Whispering.] 
Don't ye understand, boy ? 



Abe 

No — what ? 

Sarah 

What — what is it ? 

Tom 
[In deep religious awe.] 

Look — look at her eyes ! She's not telling ye a 

dream — she's looking through the gates of 

Heaven 

Abe 

No — no — no ! 

Tom 
It's death — boy — it's come — Lord, God, have mercy 



[Abe springs to his feet and stares in anguish, as 
Tom falls on his knees beside Nancy. Nancy's 
hand rests gently on Tom's shaggy head, while 

[13] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

he sobs. With her otiier hand she feels for Abe's 
and holds it feebly.] 

Nancy 

Be good to your Father, 

[She pauses and breathes with difficulty.] 
In the days to come, he will be the child and you the 

man 

Abe 
Yes — 

Nancy 

And love your sister 

[Abe nods.] 
If dark hours come, my spirit will be watching, my son — 
and I'll help you if I can 

Abe 
Yes, I know it! 

Nancy 
And remember that you can be a great man in this free 

country if you only say — I will 

[Nancy's body sinks in death as the boy lifts his 
face illumined by the light of a great purpose.] 

Abe 
Yes, Ma,— I will! 



CURTAIN 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 



PERSONS OF THE PLAY 

Abraham Lincoln The President. 

Mrs. Lincoln His Wife. 

Colonel Nicolay His Secretary. 

Edward The Doorman. 

Edwin M. Stanton Secretary of War. 

Gen. Geo. B. McClellan . Lincoln's Rival. 

Captain Vaughan Of the U. S. Army. 

Betty Winter His Sweetheart. 

Thaddeus Stevens Leader of Congress. 

Henry Raymond Editor of the New York 

Times. 

John R. Gilmore Of the New York Tribune. 

Colonel Jacquess A Methodist Clergyman. 

Jefferson Davis President of the Confeder- 
acy. 

Judah P. Benjamin His Secretary of State. 

Judge Robert Ould a Commissioner of Exchange. 

Robert E. Lee Commanding General. 

A Sister Who begs for her brother's 

life. 

A Congressman Who demands a hearing. 

A Little Girl From Virginia. 

A Mother With a baby. 

A Woman Who has lost tzvo sons. 

A Telegraph Operator . . In the White House. 

A Doorman At Richmond. 

Committeemen, Soldiers and Guards. 
[16] 



ACT I 

Set Scene : The President's room in the White House, 
August 23, 1864. A Hat desk left center. At right 
a long table and chairs. Doors open right and left. 
Large windows open center. Beside the center 
window stands an upright desk. In one corner a 
rack with map rollers and folios of maps on the 
floor and leaning against the wall. 

At Rise : Colonel Nicolay, the President's Secretary, 
is seen writing before an enormous pile of mail. 
He reads a letter and throws it down in disgust. 
Reads another and hurls it into the waste basket. 
He rises — turns back to the desk and hurls an arm- 
ful of the letters into the corner on the floor and re- 
moves enough letters to clear a space for his Chief 
to write. 
[Edward enters dragging a mail bag.] 

Nicolay 
[Calling to the Doorman.] 
Edward ! 

Edward 
Yes, sir 

Nicolay 
Hold that door tight this morning 

Edward 



Tight as a drum, sir- 



[17] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

NlCOLAY 

If any men of importance try to crowd in before their 

time 

Edward 

I'll look out for them, sir — here's another bag of let- 
ters, Colonel Nicolay 

NlCOLAY 

Another ? 

Edward 
And there's two more outside ■ 



NlCOLAY 

My God ! 

Edward 
Don't blame me, sir — I didn't write 'em 

NlCOLAY 

No, I'll vouch for your loyalty to the President. 

Edward 
Where'll I put these ? 

NlCOLAY 

Throw the bag in the corner — there's no room on his 

desk now 

Edward 
[Obeying.] 

Yes, sir 

[Edward throws the bag in the corner of the room 
where Nicolay has already piled the letters from 
the desk, and turns to Nicolay. He watches 
Nicolay destroying letters for a moment.] 
[iS] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

NlCOLAY 

Well, Edward ? 

Edward 
Will you tell me one thing, Colonel Nicolay ? 

NlCOLAY 

If I can 

Edward 
What do they say in these letters to the President- 



I've served through four administrations — I've never 
seen such piles of letters in the White House be- 
fore 

NlCOLAY 

Well, Edward — these letters ask two things of Abraham 
Lincoln : That he dismiss General Grant from com- 
mand of the Army 

Edward 

The idiots 

NlCOLAY 

And stop the war to-day — August 23, 1864, — make peace 
— peace at any price — to-day 

Edward 
God save us ! After nearly four years — quit, with noth- 
ing settled ? 

NlCOLAY 

That's what these letters demand 



Edward 

You couldn't believe it No wonder his eyes sink back 

in his head, an' he looks as if he were seeing 

ghosts 

[Pauses and starts.] 

[19] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

NlCOLAY 

Watch out for that door, Edward 



[Edward bows, and exits to door leading to the 
main corridor. Nicolay returns to his task of 
reading the letters — one he tosses into the basket 
wearily — one he crumples in anger and hurls into 
the basket.] 

Nicolay 

The fools ! 

[He is absorbed in a letter when Mrs. Lincoln 
enters in a state of nervous excitement. He rises 
quickly, and goes to meet her.] 
What is it, Mrs. Lincoln ? 

Mrs. Lincoln 
I have just heard that the Republican National Commit- 
tee is in Washington ! 

Nicolay 

They are 

Mrs. Lincoln 
In conference at Senator Winter's house ? 

Nicolay 

Yes 

Mrs. Lincoln 
W 7 hat do they want? 

Nicolay 
There are ugly rumors 

Mrs. Lincoln 

What ? What ? What ? 

[20] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

NlCOLAY 

I can't discuss it, Madam, until the Chief knows 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Mr. Lincoln, doesn't know 

NlCOLAY 

Not yet. He will, this morning. They've just sent a 
demand to me that he see them before his public 
reception begins 

Mrs. Lincoln 
You've heard something — you know something — tell me 
— I can't endure the suspense 

NlCOLAY 

Only rumors — and they're too ugly to put into words — 
they're incredible 

Mrs. Lincoln 

All the same, you believe them 

[Impetuously.] 
What have you heard ? 

NlCOLAY 

[Shakes his head.] 
The Chief wouldn't like it if I talk, before he knows. 
Ill tell you a few things I'm thinking in plain 
English — if you'd like to hear 

Mrs. Lincoln 
You can't make it too plain to suit me 

NlCOLAY 

In my opinion, the devil is to pay. Weak-kneed fools 
are deserting the Chief. Every man who loves 

[21] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Abraham Lincoln must get off his coat now and 
fight. He is the only man who can save this Na- 
tion to-day, and he's too big and generous to be 
trusted alone with wolves 

Mrs. Lincoln 

What can you mean ? The Republican National 

Committee have no power over the President of the 
United States 

Nicolay 

No, Madam But they have certain powers over the 

Nominee of their party 

Mrs. Lincoln 
But Mr. Lincoln is already the nominee of his party for 
the second term . . . chosen two months ago — and 
the election is but eight weeks off — what do you 

mean ? 

[Edward enters.] 

Edward 
Miss Betty Winter to see you, Ma'am 



Mrs. Lincoln 
How fortunate — they're at her father's house- 

Nicolay 

Yes 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Show her right in here, Edward 

Edward 
Yes, Madam 

[22] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[To Nicolay.] 
And she's loyal to Mr. Lincoln — 

Edward 
[At door left.] 

Right this way, — Miss Betty 

[Betty enters — a young woman 25 years old — 
poised } cultured, charming.] 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[Meeting Betty.] 

Welcome — my child 

Betty 
You're always so kind ! 

Nicolay 
Excuse me, ladies — while I go out and get rid of some 

of these people waiting to see the President 

[Nicolay exits.] 

Mrs. Lincoln 

Tell me, dear, you've heard something — the Republican 

National Committee are at your father's 

Betty 
They were there — they've adjourned to Thaddeus 

Stevens' house across the street from us They 

were locked in with father for two hours 

Mrs. Lincoln 

Locked in ? 

Betty 
[Nods.] 

With the keyhole chinked up ! 

[23] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Mrs. Lincoln 
And you didn't get a hint of what they're up to— 

Betty 
Not the faintest 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Oh, Betty — they're discussing me 

Betty 

They didn't mention your name 



Mrs. Lincoln 
How do you know ? 

Betty 

Well — I did hear a little ! I could hear from the 

next room when they got excited! It's Abraham 
Lincoln they're discussing — not his wife 

Mrs. Lincoln 

You're sure ? 

Betty 

Sure ! It sounded like a regular dog fight — with 

one big brute howling 

[Imitates.] 
— the President's name above the din 



Mrs. Lincoln 
But, you can't be sure, my dear 

Betty 
What on earth could they be discussing you for ? 

Mrs. Lincoln 
My loyalty, of course — you know that my brothers are 
in the Southern Army, fighting the Union. Fools 

[24] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

have accused me of giving them important secrets 
of the Government. When I Ivate them for all they 
have done to me and mine ! 

Betty 
But my dear Mrs. Lincoln — no one believes such lies 
about you now — not even in this bitter campaign 
— it's absurd 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[Hesitates.'] 
That is not the real thing I'm afraid of, child — it's some- 
thing worse — I'm going to take you into my confi- 
dence now — may I? 

Betty 
I'll be tickled to death with the honor ! 



Mrs. Lincoln 
And I'm going to ask you to help me 

Betty 
I'll be in the Cabinet next ! 

Mrs. Lincoln 
The truth is, I owe A. T. Stewart and Company an 
enormous bill for dresses — $60,000 

Betty 
Sixty thousand — oh, my Lord! That's worse than 

mine ! 

Mrs. Lincoln 
I had to get them! The world said the White House 
would be disgraced by my awkward husband's 
regime — I've shown them better! But I just 
[25] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

couldn't tell Mr. Lincoln. He has no idea of the 
cost of clothes. If these jackals have found out 
and attack him on my account, the thought of it 

will kill me 

Betty 
But you know he'd defend you against any one who 
dares attack you. 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Yes, dear — but it would hurt him so to hear it from their 
brutal lips. I want you to find out from your 
father, if they know 

Betty 
And if they know ? 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Get here before they do, and I'll head them off — I'll tell 
Mr. Lincoln first 

Betty 

[Smiling.'] 
On one condition — that you help me ] 

Mrs. Lincoln 

Anything you ask 

Betty 
I've promised my fiance that I would get an appointment 
for him to see the President on something very im- 
portant 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Mr. Lincoln will be here in a few minutes. I'll have 
him see your sweetheart first 

[26] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Betty 
But — it's a personal matter and he doesn't wish to come 

to a public reception. He wants an hour alone 

Could you get it for him, to-night? 

Mrs. Lincoln 

I — think — so 

Betty 

You'll try ? 

Mrs. Lincoln 
I'll do it, child — certainly! You're one loyal friend we 
have in that crowd of wolves on the Capitol Hill 

Betty 
All right, I'll find out if they're discussing politics or 
your dressmaker's bill. 

[Betty hurries to the door, followed by Mrs. 
Lincoln.] 

Mrs. Lincoln 

God bless you, child 

[Nicolay enters by the other door.] 
— Hurry ! 

Betty 
If it's dresses — I'll beat them to the White House ! 
[Betty exits.] 

Nicolay 
The President is coming, Madam 

Mrs. Lincoln 
I'm going. But I may want to see him before that 
Committee — in case I send in — see that he comes, 
will you? 

[27] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

NlCOLAY 

I'll try to manage it. The friends of the Chief may call 
on you for some inside work, Madam. 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[Eagerly.] 
I'll do my part, never fear ! 

[Mrs. Lincoln exits and Nicolay hastily arranges 
his desk and stands at attention as Lincoln en- 
ters.] 

[Lincoln crosses the room with long nervous stride, 
reaches his desk, looks at the pile of letters and 
shakes his head wearily.] 

Lincoln 
Sorry for you, John, with all these letters on your 

hands 

[Laughs.] 
You have to work ! 



Nicolay 
I'm trying to get them out of your way, sir 

Lincoln 
Thank you — you know the ones I want to see 

Nicolay 

Yes, sir 

Lincoln 
[Softly.] 
And don't forget that no man or woman can be turned 
from that door, who comes here to ask for the 

saving of a human life 

[Pauses.] 

[28] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

There's a firing squad shooting a boy down in Virginia 

this morning ! 

[Shakes his head.] 
I hope I didn't do wrong to let them. Somehow I could 

not find an excuse to save him 

[Sighs.] 



The Generals are all after me about my pardons 

Nicolay 
The Secretary of War is out there now, champing his 
bit, to head you off on some of them, I think 

Lincoln 
Don't let old Mars in yet. He's no business here at this 

hour. Let him paw a hole in the ground. 

[Pauses.] 
Any news from the front, this morning? 

Nicolay 
[Handing him a telegram.] 
From General Grant's lines — only this, sir 

Lincoln 
[Reads.] 
"Confederate Cavalry raiders capture a Brigadier Gen- 
eral and fifty army mules." — Too bad — rush a regi- 
ment after the mules — they're worth $200 a piece — 
Jeff Davis can have my Brigadier General ! 

Nicolay 
[Laughs.] 
Yes, sir — and this came in code from Sherman — 
[Hands Lincoln another telegram.] 

[29] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
[Eagerly.] 

Word from Sherman! Good! 
[Reads.] 

"Scouts report Hood's trenches before Atlanta are 

impregnable — carefully considering a flank move- 
ment — but as yet, I cannot find the position or 
strength of Hood's second line " W. T. Sher- 
man 



[Pauses.] 

Grant's deadlocked with Lee at Petersburg — If-Sherman- 

could-only-give-us-Atlanta ! 

[Pauses.] 
I've a notion to telegraph Sherman an order direct ! 

Nicolay 
I wouldn't go over General Grant's head, sir, with a 
military order — he's sensitive 

Lincoln 
It might make trouble — Grant might resent my inter- 
ference with his plan of campaign 

Nicolay 
It would have to be filed in the War Department 

Lincoln 
Yes — I know. Anything else ? 

Nicolay 
[Handing him a large document.] 
Baker's full report of the secret service on the Copper- 
head Societies He asks for the immediate ar- 
rest of their leaders — and I think he's right 

[30] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 

[Shakes his head.] 
It won't do — it won't do just now — it's an ugly business 

— too ugly for haste — I'll look it over carefully 

[Lays the report on his desk.] 
I'm ready now to see the people 

Nicolay 
The Republican National Committee are in town, sir 

Lincoln 
What on earth are they doing here ? 



Nicolay 
That's what everybody's asking- 



Lincoln 
They should be in their States, leading the Party to 
victory What do they want? 

Nicolay 

To see you 

Lincoln 

Umph ! 

Nicolay 
Henry Raymond, their Chairman, is with them, and has 
just sent word demanding a hearing before your 
public reception this morning. 

Lincoln 
Make the appointment later. They're all distinguished 
men. They can wait while the humbler people have 

[31] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

their turn. I came up here from the wilderness. I 
know what it means to have the great rush by 

me 

[Laughs.'] 
No — I'll see the common folks first 



Nicolay 
I think you'd better see this Committee right away, 

sir 

Lincoln 
Why ? What have you heard ? 

Nicolay 
Some ugly rumors 



Lincoln 
Spare me the rumors ! We've enough of them flying 
around Washington to poison us all. They can only 
wish me to hedge on some of my principles in this 
crisis. I've made all the campaign statements I'm 
going to make. I've faith in the good sense of the 
people. I'm going to plant my feet squarely on 
that faith and wait the verdict of this election 

Nicolay 
You won't see the Committee now ? 



Lincoln 

No ! I'll take my bath of public opinion first. I 

want to see real men and women and feel their hearts 
beat close to mine. It tones me up for the day's 
work — let them in. 
[Stanton bursts into the room in a towering rage.] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Stanton 

Mr. President, I've been kept waiting! 
[Confronting Nicolay.] 
[Nicolay turns away and laughs.] 

Nicolay! How dare you keep me waiting in an ante- 
room, while you talk to the President ! I want you 
to understand, sir, that as Secretary of War, I've 
the right to enter this room at any hour, day or night, 
announced or unannounced, and by God, I'm going 
to exercise that privilege! 
[Stanton paces the floor furiously.] 

Lincoln 
[Laughing.] 
Well, you're here now, and it's all right, Stanton — Easy ! 
Easy, or we'll have to put some rocks in your pocket 
to hold you down. What can I do ? 

Stanton 
Mr. President, I've come here this morning to make a 
square issue with you on the abuse of the pardoning 
power which you are making daily 

Lincoln 
As Chief Magistrate of the people, I have been clothed 
with that power, Stanton 

Stanton 
[Angrily.] 
You have no right to exercise it under the present con- 
ditions ! Discipline in our armies must be main- 
tained. You are hamstringing me and every Gen- 

[33] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

eral ki the field — by suspending the death penalty 
of our Courts-Martial. Men are deserting in thou- 
sands and we've got to put a stop to it. 

Lincoln 

That's what I say ! Bring to me the traitors who 

are causing them to desert, and see what I'll do to 
them! 

Stanton 
You can't evade the issue I'm making, sir! You'll be 
asked this morning to pardon a deserter. I call a 
halt here and now — will you stop to-day the use of 
this pardoning power ? 

Lincoln 
I've got to hear both sides — it's my solemn duty 



Stanton 
All right, I'm done. There's my resignation as your 
Secretary of War — Good-by! 
[Stanton strides angrily to the door and Lincoln 
speaks as he puts his hand on the knob.] 



Wait a minute- 
It's no use 



Lincoln 
Stanton 



Lincoln 
Come back here. I've something to say to you. 
[Stanton returns.] 

Stanton 
You're wasting your breath 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 

Stanton, I appointed you Secretary of War against the 
advice of every man about me. You were a can- 
tankerous Democrat and my enemy. You had said 
the meanest things about me that were ever spoken 
in Washington — and that's putting it pretty strong. 
You called me a low clown — the original gorilla. 
In spite of all this, I saw your great qualities ! I 
saw that you were absolutely fearless and absolutely 
honest, that your nerves were made of steel and 
your capacity for work was boundless. Even in 
your passions and hatreds, you showed a loyalty to 
the Union that rose above the parties and creeds of 
a lifetime. I like men of your strong personality. 
They stand between a nation and hell. And so, I 
appointed you, my bitter foe, to my cabinet. I've 
never regretted it for a minute in these years of 
blood and anguish. You've made the best Secre- 
tary of War this country ever had. In spite of your 
mean traits and your awful profanity, I've learned 
to love you! Now, you've resigned, and done your 
duty, as you see it. I've accepted your resignation, 

conscripted you again, and reappointed you ! 

[Pauses and strokes his shoulder.] 

Go back to your desk and stick to the rules — that's your 
business; and I'll keep right on here tempering 
Justice with Mercy when I get a chance. 

Stanton 
[Gazing at him a moment hopelessly.] 

Well, — I suppose I'll have to try ! 

[Snorts.] 

[353 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

But — I'm — damned — if — you — interfere — with — me — 
again ! 
[Stanton hurries to the door.] 

Lincoln 

All right now But look here, Stanton 

[Stanton pauses.] 
If I hare to send over a pardon or two to you this morn- 
ing 

Stanton 
Hell fire! 

Lincoln 
Easy — easy now ! You'll know they're very urgent, and 
will admit of no delay on account of red tape 

Stanton 
[Throws his hands up in wild gesture of despair.] 
Oh, my God! 

[Stanton exits.] 

Lincoln 
John, the old Fox was trying to head me off, wasn't 

he ? Get them in here quick — who's the first in 

turn ? 

NlCOLAY 

A young lady to plead for the life of her brother 

Lincoln 
Bring her in! 

[As Nicolay goes to the door, Lincoln follows to 
meet the young woman. SJie enters, a forlorn 
little figure with baby face and blonde hair. She 
is plainly dressed in homespun cloth and docs not 

[36] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

wear hoop skirts. The President greets her with 
the utmost deference. 

Lincoln 
[Taking both her hands.'] 
My dear young lady — I'm glad to see you — good old 
Pennsylvania Dutch ! I knew you before you spoke 
— my folks came down to Virginia from there, in 
the old Colonial days 

The Sister 
[Overcome.] 
Oh — Meester — Presiden — you are so goot to me — you 

are so kind 

[Pauses overcome.] 

I haf no speech 

Lincoln 
Come now, tell me in your own way what I can do to 

help you 

The Sister 
Oh — Meester Presiden — you can do all — you can do any 
t'ing — und I am so happy to see you — I cannot be- 
gin 

Lincoln 
[Soothing her.] 
Take your time, little girl — all the others will have to 
wait on you now 

The Sister 
Ya-ya — it is my turn now — ya, und I must hurry. You 
see, it's mine brudder — he ist just von leetle poy, 
Meester Presiden — von leetle poy with curly hair 

like mine 

[She chokes.] 

[37] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
[Taking her hand.'] 
And what happened to him, my dear? 

The Sister 

Veil, you see he lif wid me in Pennsylvania — ve are all 
alone to-gedder — und he lef me und go into der 
armee — und von bad man he giv him a leetle book 
vot tell him to desert und go home to his peoples — 

I haf dot leetle book, Meester Presiden 

[She hands him the book.] 

Und my brudder he's such a leetle poy, he read und he 
tink vot ze book say is so, und he leef ze armee und 
come home und kiss me und say, "I vill take care 

of you now, mein seester " 

[Breaks down.] 

Und zey come und take heem, und now he is to be 

shot 

[She chokes.] 

[Lincoln reads the title of the little book.] 

Lincoln 
"Why should Brothers Fight ?" "By Richard Vaughan" 

— an old Copperhead leader I'll warrant! 

[Pauses.] 
And you came to me, all alone, little girl? 

The Sister 
Ya — I haf no friens here 

Lincoln 
Your Congressman does not know of this? 

[Nicolay begins to make out the pardon."] 

[38] 




A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

The Sister 

I do not know ze Congress-man — mein leetle brudder is 

all I haf 

Lincoln 

Alone, friendless — with no Congressman to speak for 
you ! Well, little girl, you don't need anybody to 
speak for you — you speak for yourself — you're good 
and honest and love your brother — and by jings, you 
don't wear hoopskirts — I'm sorry to rile old Stanton 

again 

[Laughs.] 

But I'm going to pardon your brother ! 

The Sister 
[Seises and kisses his hand.] 
Oh — Meester Presiden — I praise ze good God 

Lincoln 
There ! There ! Now, don't do that, you'll have me cry- 
ing in a minute and John Nicolay here will see 

me 

The Sister 
Ya! Meester Nicolay — won't mind — he so kind to me 

too 

[Nicolay has prepared the pardon and the Presi- 
dent signs and hands it to her.] 

The Sister 
[Seizing the pardon.] 
Wiz all my heart ! 

Lincoln 
[To Nicolay.] 
Send her to Stanton, and tell him to rush that order to 
stay the execution. They shall not shoot this poor 

[39] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

boy, ignorant of our laws, but if he can find the man 

who put that little book 

[Holds up book.] 

into his hand, advising desertion — I'll hang him on a. 

gallows forty cubits high ! 

[He lays the booklet on his desk.] 

[Nicolay writes on the back of the pardon.] 

The Sister 
[Joyfully.] 
Mein brudder he vill go back und he vill be von goot poy 
for you, Meester Presiden 

Lincoln 
Yes, I know he will, my child, I know he will. Good-by, 
and God bless you. 

The Sister 

Und God bless you, Meester Presiden ! 

[Nicolay pauses at the door and gives orders to 
the doorman.] 

Nicolay 
Edward, take her to the War Office with this mes- 
sage^ 

Edward 
Yes, sir 

Congressman 
I demand to see the President at once 



Nicolay 
I can't admit you, Mr. Congressman, just now- 

[40] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Congressman 
[Forcing his way in.] 

I demand it, sir 

[Lincoln crosses to the door.] 

Lincoln 
What is it, John 



Congressman 
Mr. President, I have been here three times ! I demand 
the right to see you — to ask the pardon of one of 
my constituents. 

Lincoln 
All right ! Out with it ! 

Congressman 
He is one of the solid citizens of Massachusetts ; a slave 
trader whose ship has been confiscated. He has 
spent five years in prison, and cannot pay the heavy 

fine in money imposed He is not a bad man at 

heart. 

Lincoln 
And he wants me to pardon him — this slave-trader ! 

Congressman 
I ask it as a matter of justice — he has paid the penalty — 
five long years in prison 

Lincoln 
[Laughs.] 
I might pardon a murderer from old Massachusetts, 
she's done glorious service in this war — but a man 
who can make a business of going to Africa and 

[41] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

robbing her of helpless men, women and children 

and selling them into bondage ! 

[He pauses and stiffens.] 

— before that man can have liberty by any act of 

mine, he can stay in jail and rot! 

NlCOLAY 

[To the Congressman.'] 
Now, you've got it ! 



Congressman 



[Crestfallen.] 
Yes — I heard it — 



Lincoln 
{Turning back to his desk, and examining his 
papers.] 

Good Bring in the next one, John ! 

[As Nicolay exits with the Congressman who con- 
tinues to talk in loud tones, a sweet little girl of 
twelve slips by and reaches the Presidents desk 
unannounced. The President has taken his seat 
and is writing. While the President continues to 
write, the little girl slips close and watches him 
wistfully. He lifts his head, sees her, and smiles.] 
Why, what a wee girl — and you got in here all by your- 
self ? 

Virginia 
I slipped in when no one was looking 

Lincoln 
Did you? What did you do that for? 

[42] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Virginia 
I was afraid they wouldn't let me in, if they knew what 

I wanted 

Lincoln 
[Tenderly.'] 
And what do you want? 

Virginia 
If you please, sir — a pass to go through the lines to Vir- 
ginia — my brother's there — he was shot in the last 
battle — and I want to see him. 

Lincoln 
Of course, you do — and you shall too. 

[He seises his pen, writes a pass and hands it to 
her.] 

Virginia 
[Breathlessly.] 
Oh, thank you — thank you ! 

Lincoln 
[Casually placing his hand on her head.] 

Of course, you're loyal ? 

[Virginia's lips quiver, she hesitates, looks up into 
his face through dimmed eyes, and her slender 
body stiffens as she slowly speaks.] 

Virginia 
Yes — loyal — with all my heart — to Virginia! 

[The trembling little fingers hand the pass back as 
the tears roll down her cheeks. Lincoln looks 
away to hide from her his own emotion, stoops 
and takes her hand in his. His voice is low and 
tender and full of feeling.] 

[43] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
I know what it cost you to say that, child. You're a 
brave little girl ! And I'll love you always for this 
glimpse you've given me of a great spirit and a great 

people. That's why I can't let the South go 

They can't leave this Union. We need them 

Now I can trust you ? 

Virginia 
[Eagerly.] 
Yes, sir! 

[Nicolay enters with a young mother and baby and 
hesitates at sight of the little girl.] 

Lincoln 
Come on in, John — it's all right. I'm about through with 

this young lady 

[Nicolay brings the young mother to the desk and 
Lincoln takes Virginia down stage.] 
Come down here, dear, so old man Nicolay can't hear us 

— he mightn't understand. 

[He sits on a chair and draws the girl close.] 
You see, I understand you — and can trust you implicitly. 

Now if I give you back this and let you go — will you 

promise me that no word shall pass your lips of 

what you've seen inside our lines? 

Virginia 
Oh, yes — I promise ! 

Lincoln 
[Handing her the pass.] 
May God speed the day, child, when your people and 
mine shall no longer be enemies 

[44] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Virginia 
Thank you, sir ! 

Lincoln 
Run now ! 

[Virginia exits. At the door she throws him a 

kiss. ] 
[Lincoln comes quickly to the mother and greets 
her cheerily.] 
Well, little mother, what's the matter? 

[She hesitates and appeals to Nicolay.] 

Nicolay 
Tell him yourself 

The Mother 
[Trembling.] 
If you please, sir, we ain't been married but a little over 
a year, and my husband's never seen the baby 

Lincoln 

That's too bad 

The Mother 
He's in the army and I couldn't stand it any longer — so 
I came down to Washington to get a pass to take 
the baby to him. But he wouldn't let me have it at 
the War Office 

Lincoln 

[Laughs.] 
I'll bet old Mars wouldn't— Phew ! 

[Pauses and turns to Nicolay.] 
What do you say, John — let's send her down? 

[45] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

NlCOLAY 

The strictest orders have been issued to allow no more 
women to go to the front 

Lincoln 

Humph ! Well, I'll tell you what we can do — give 

her husband a leave of absence, and let him come 
up here to see them! 

The Mother 
[Laughing and crying.] 
You don't mind my laughing, do you? I just can't help 
it — I can't stop ! I can't stop laughing ! 

Lincoln 
Laugh and cry as much as you please — but tell me where 
are you stopping? 

The Mother 

Nowhere yet, sir 

Lincoln 
How's that? 

The Mother 
I went straight from the depot to the War Office and 
then I just walked the street blind with crying till I 
made up my mind to come here. 

Lincoln 
We'll fix that then ! Nicolay will write you an order that 
will take you and your baby to a good hospital and 
care for you till your husband comes — and fix it so 
he can stay here a week with you 

[46] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

The Mother 
[Laughs.] 
I just can't thank vou! I'm so happy, all I can do is 
to laugh! 

Lincoln 
Laugh on, little mother — and off with you now — clear 
out! 
[The mother goes out laughing.] 

[Nicolay shows the little mother out and returns to 
Lincoln.] 

Nicolay 
The deputation of colored men whom you asked to come 
this morning are waiting, sir — will you see them 
now? 

Lincoln 

At once 

[Lincoln turns to his desk and takes up a docu- 
ment containing his plan of Colonisation and 
examines it as Nicolay and three well-dressed 
colored men enter. They are typical Africans.] 

First Negro 
[Bowing deferentially.] 
Mr. President ! 

Second Negro 
[Tenderly.] 
Our Father Abraham 

Third Negro 
[With religious feeling.] 
We salute our Savior! 

[47] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
Welcome, my friends. I have sent for you this morning 
to place in your hands a copy of my plan for coloni- 
zation and to ask your help 

First Negro 

Yes, sir 

[The ebony faces with their cream white teeth show- 
ing in smiles and their wide rolling eyes make a 
striking contrast to the rugged face and poise of 
the President.] 

Lincoln 
Your race is suffering, in my judgment, the greatest 
wrong inflicted on any people. But even when you 
cease to be slaves, you are yet far removed from 
being placed on an equality with the white race. On 
this broad continent, not a single man of your race 
is made the equal of a single man of ours 

First Negro 
It's so — yes, it's so ! 

Lincoln 
Go where you are treated best and the ban is still upon 
you. I cannot alter it if I would. It is better for 
us both, therefore, to be separated. For the sake 
of your people you should sacrifice something of 
your present comfort. 

First Negro 
Let our great leader show us the way 

Lincoln 
The Colony of Liberia is an old one, and it is open to 
you. I am now arranging to open another in Central 
[48] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

America. You are intelligent and know that suc- 
cess does not so much depend on external help as 
on self-reliance. If you will engage in the enterprise 
I will spend the money Congress has entrusted to 
me for this purpose. I ask you to consider it 
seriously, not for yourselves merely, nor for your 
race and ours for the present time, BUT FOR THE 
GOOD OF MANKIND. 

First Negro 

We will, sir ! 

Lincoln 

The practical thing I want to ascertain is whether I can 
get a number of able-bodied men with their wives 
and children to go at once — men who "can cut their 

own fodder" so to speak ? Take this plan, show 

it to your people 

[Hands the document to the First Negro.'] 
— and find this out for me 

First Negro 
We'll do our best 

Third Negro 
[Bowing out with religious ecstasy.] 
Praise God forever for our Savior-Leader ! 



[Nicolay ushers out the three Negroes and shows 
in a stately black-robed figure in mourning for her 
dead. She walks quietly to the President and ex- 
tends her hand with a gracious smile.] 

The Woman 

Perhaps I've done wrong to take up your time 

[49] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
My time belongs to the people, Madam 



The Woman 

I've come to you, Mr. President, under an impulse I 
could not resist. Mr. Stoddard, your third Secre- 
tary, is my friend. He told me this morning that all 
night the sound of your footfall came from this 
room. He heard it at nine, at ten, at eleven. At 
midnight the Secretary of War left the door ajar 
and the steady tramp came with heavier sound. The 
last thing he heard at three was the muffled beat up- 
stairs. The guard said it had not stopped at day- 
light. I saw you staggering alone under a Nation's 
sorrow and I wondered if you had been given the 
vision to see the dawn of a new life for our people. 
I know I'm looking into the eyes of the man whose 
word can stop this war and divide the Union — I 
have come to tell you that I lost my first born son 

at Fredericksburg — a lad of twenty 

[She pauses and Lincoln bends and presses her 
hand.] 

May God help you in your trials, Mr. President, as he 
has helped me in mine 

Lincoln 
[Startled.] 
You lost your first born at Fredericksburg and come to 
say this to me? 

The Woman 

And I've been praying for you, day and night since 

[50] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
[Softly.] 
Will you say that again, Madam 



The Woman 
I have been praying for you, day and night, and I've 
come this morning to bring you this message — Be 
strong and courageous, and God will bring the Na- 
tion through! 

Lincoln 
You say this to me — standing beside the grave of your 
son? 

The Woman 
And beside the cot of my other boy of sixteen who was 
dangerously wounded in General Grant's last battle. 
I am proud of two such sons to lay on the altar of 
my country. I had to tell you that I'm praying for 
you. 

[Lincoln closes both hands over hers and holds 
thorn a moment in silence.] 

Lincoln 
[With upward gaze.] 
How strange that you should come to me in this black 
hour with such a message. I've often wondered if 
the soul of my mother were not speaking to me ! 
The day she died in the woods of Indiana, she told 
me that if dark hours came, her spirit would be 
watching, and she'd help me if she could! While 
you were talking to me — I got the tremor of her 
voice and the quiver of her lips — how strange ! 
[Looking down into her face.] 

[51] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Thank you, Madam ! You have brought me medicine for 
both body and soul. 
[Lincoln presses her hand again and she quietly 

goes as he gazes after her.] 
[Nicolay starts to follow her to the door — Lincoln 
lifts his hand.] 
John, I'm rested now — I'm ready for any work ! 

Nicolay 
The National Committee have just arrived, sir. 

Lincoln 
All right — let them in! 

[Lincoln resumes his place beside his desk and the 
Committee headed by Henry Raymond, Editor 
of the New York Times, enter and solemnly 
range themselves about the President.] 

Lincoln 
[To Henry Raymond — taking his hand formally.] 
Raymond, this is an unexpected honor you and your 
Committee do me. I thought you were at your 
desk in the Times office pouring hot shot into the 
flanks of our enemies, and the boys were all at 
home fighting for the victory that must be ours on 
the first Tuesday in November. Not that you're un- 
welcome. You are the leaders of public opinion. 
The people rule this country, and I am their servant 
— what is it ? 

Raymond 
You may be sure, Mr. President, that our mission is of 
the gravest importance. These gentlemen have 
brought such startling reports from their several 

[52] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

states as to the bitterness and closeness of the fight, 
that they have reached a unanimous conclusion 

Lincoln 

And that is ? 

Raymond 
That with your personality and record against General 
McClellan's, your Democratic opponent — the elec- 
tion for us is lost. 

Lincoln 

Your statement is blunt. But, as I have been renomi- 
nated for a second term, my administration has been 
endorsed by our party, and the election is only eight 
weeks off — there is but one conclusion possible — 
and that is, that you should roll up your sleeves and 
get to work. 

Raymond 

The National Committee, Mr. President, has reached a 
different conclusion 

Lincoln 

Yes ? 

Raymond 
In view of your unpopularity, in view of the criticism 
of your policies, and your conduct of the war — they 
have decided to ask you to withdraw from the ticket 
and permit them to name a new candidate 

Lincoln 
[Springing to his feet.] 

What ! 

Raymond 
I have stated it bluntly 

[53] 



A MAX OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 

And this is your unanimous verdict, gentlemen — 



All 
Yes. 

Lincoln 
[Paces the floor a moment and then faces the Com- 
mittee.] 
It sur j man belief! Future generations will hold 

it incredible — that you. my party- leaders, should heap 
this insult upon the man who led you to your Gist 
and only victory. Tha .ould come here to- 

day to ask me to quit under fire, to sacrifice wi 
out a blow all I hold worth fighting for on this 

earth ! 

Rath ran 
The Committee made their request solely on the ground 
of patriotic duty — and ask you for the sacrifice upon 
the same grour. Is. They have found it impossible 
to defend your policies 

LlNCOLN 

[Brusqu; 

What policies : 

Raymond 

Understand me, Mr. President — I am telling you the con- 
cha d : this Committee 

Linccl:: 
All right, Raymond — fire away — spare me the oratory, 
please — just give me the plain reasons, one at a time, 
me to get off the ticket 

[54] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Raymond 
The first policy found indefensible has been your han- 
dling of the border slave states of Maryland, Ken- 
tucky and Missouri. You have not yet declared the 
slaves free in these states, the only ones in which you 
actually have the power to do so — at all. 

Lincoln 
The first policy of my Administration has been to save 
for the Union the great border states — for the 
simple reason — with these border slave states, we 
have such a balance of power that the Union may 
be saved! Without these states, the Union cannot 
be saved ! Therefore in my Proclamation of Eman- 
cipation, I purposely did not raise the question of 
the right or wrong of slavery. If slavery is not 
wrong, nothing is wrong. But the Constitution of 
the United States, which I have sworn to uphold in 
the border states of Maryland, Kentucky and Mis- 
souri, guarantees to their people the right to hold 
slaves if they choose. 

Raymond 
But why pat on the back the slaveholder of Maryland 
and strike at the slaveholder of South Carolina? 

Lincoln 
Because Maryland is loyal to the Union, and South 
Carolina is fighting it. My Proclamation was not a 
sermon on the rights of man — black or white. It 
was an act of war — a blow aimed at the heart of the 
seceding South to break its wealth and power, end 
the war, and save the Union. I know the spell of 
[55] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

State loyalty in the South, gentlemen. I was born 
there. Many a mother in Richmond wept the day 
our flag fell from their Capitol. But they brushed 
their tears away and sent their sons to the front the 
next day, to fight that flag — in the name of Virginia! 
So would thousands of mothers in these border 
slave states, if I put them to the test. In God's own 
time slavery will be destroyed. I have saved these 
states for our cause by conciliation and compromise. 
I will not apologize for this act. 
[He lifts his hand to stop interruption.'] 

My paramount object is to save the Union, and not, 
either to save or destroy slavery. If I could save 
the Union, without freeing a slave, I would do it. 
And if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I 
would do it. And if I could save it by freeing some 
and leaving others alone, I would also do that. What 
I do about slavery and the colored race, I do be- 
cause I believe it helps to save this Union! 
[Pauses and faces his accusers. ,] 

I'll test this question right here — will the three Com- 
mitteemen from Kentucky, Missouri and Maryland 
stand up for a minute? 
[The three Committeemen rise.] 

Will the gentleman from Kentucky tell me what would 
have been the effect if I had included his state in 
my proclamation freeing the slaves ? 

The Kentucky Committeeman 
The state would have seceded from the Union, sir. 

Lincoln 
Just so, and in Missouri? 

[56] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

The Missouri Committeeman 
The Legislature would have joined the Confederacy 
within twenty-four hours. 

Lincoln 
And Maryland ? 

The Maryland Committeeman 
Maryland would have promptly cut the railroads leading 
into Washington, isolated the Capital and joined 
the South. 

Lincoln 
And with the loss of our Capital, Europe, eager to strike, 
would have recognized the Confederacy, would they 
not? 

The Maryland Committeeman 
Undoubtedly, sir 

Lincoln 
So I hold 

The Maryland Committeeman 
Our State believed you when you said in your Inaugural : 
"I have no purpose directly or indirectly to inter- 
fere with the institution of slavery in the states 
where it exists!" 

Lincoln 
Then you three gentlemen, at least, are with me on this 
issue? 

All Three 
Yes—! Yes—! Yes—! 

[57] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 



I thought so- 



[To Raymojid.] 
What next? 

Raymond 
Your plan to colonize the Negro race as expressed in 
your Proclamation of Emancipation and in the bill 
which you have had passed through Congress has 
hurt your best friends 

Lincoln 
And why should it? My views on that subject were 
known to all men before you nominated me first in 
Chicago, four years ago. I said then that I be- 
lieved there is a sharp physical difference between 
the white and black races, and I have always linked 
colonization with freedom. The Negro cannot re- 
main in a free democracy unless we absorb him 
into our social and political life. Therefore, we 
must colonize him. We owe it to ourselves, we owe 
it to future generations — above all, we owe it to 
the Negro himself. He was brought here by cruel 
force. At our own expense, therefore, we should re- 
turn him to the home of his fathers, and build there 
a free republic for his children. We should give him 
our language and our ideals, and we should give him 
millions of our money, until he can stand alone. 
We must face this problem squarely now. 

Raymond 

Yet you compromise on other issues. 

[58] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 

Only because I must to save the Union. Trim and hedge 
on this issue, and future generations will feel their 
way back to it through blood and tears. I have al- 
ways held that the happiness and progress of this 
Union of Free Democratic States will be secure only 
in the separation of the white and black races, and 

I will not eat my words! - 

[Pauses.] 

—the next charge in your bill of indictment, gentlemen? 

Raymond 
[ now present the Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, leader of 
Congress, the representative of the radical wing of 
our party, who have split our organization by 
nominating another candidate for President — Mr. 
Stevens will give their views. 

Stevens 
[Pompously to the Committee.] 
The radical wing of the party, gentlemen, has been the 
only creative force within it — and is the only thing 
that gives it an excuse for being to-day. 

Lincoln 
[Firmly.] 
Which means that you think that I am superfluous and 
always have been — I thank you — proceed! 

Stevens 

We denounce first your policy of reconstruction in the 

South as weak and vacillating — a civil and military 

failure. As the army advances, the South should 

be held as conquered soil, its civilization torn up 

[59] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

by the roots, the property of the Southern white 
people confiscated and given to the Negroes. The 
ballot must be taken from the whites and given to 
their slaves. We demand this just vengeance and 
we will be content with nothing less ! 

Lincoln 
Stevens, I greet with shame your demands ! Surely the 
vastness of this war, its grim battles, its heroism, 
its anguish, its sublime earnestness, should sink all 
schemes of revenge. Before the grandeur of its 
simple story our children will walk with uncovered 
heads. Conquered soil ! The South has never been 
out of this Union. Secession was null and void from 
the beginning. I say to the South now, as I have 
always said: "Come back home! You can have 
peace at any moment, by simply laying down your 
arms and submitting to the National Authority." 
When the South lies crushed at our feet, God's 
vengeance shall be enough. 

Stevens 
The life of our party, sir, demands that the Negro be 
given the ballot and made the ruler of the South. 
This is not vengeance. It is justice — it is patriot- 
ism. 

Lincoln 
The Nation cannot be healed until the South is healed. 
Let the gulf be closed in which we bury strifes and 
hatreds. The good sense of our people will never 
consent to your scheme of vengeance. 

[60] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Stevens 
The people have no sense ! And a new fool is born every 
second. 

Lincoln 
I have an abiding faith in their honesty and good pur- 
pose. I have trusted the people before, and they 
have not failed me. 

Stevens 

Bah ! 

Lincoln 
I can't tell you, Stevens, how your venomous plans 
sicken me. I'd rather work with you than fight 
you, if it's possible. But the line is drawn now — 
we've got to fight — and I'm not afraid of you. 

Stevens 
You had better listen 

Lincoln 
I'll suffer my right arm to be severed from my body be- 
fore I'll sign one measure of revenge on a brave, 
fallen foe! 

Stevens 
I have always known you had a sneaking admiration for 
the South! 

Lincoln 
I love the South — it is a part of this Union ! And when 
the curse of slavery is lifted, it should be the garden 
spot of the world — I love every foot of its soil — 
every hill and valley, and every man, woman and 
child in it. I am an American! 
[61] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Stevens 
The kind of an American that makes the election of your 
opponent, General George B. McClellan, a cer- 
tainty 

Lincoln 

Well, who would you put in my place? 

[He faces Raymond and Stevens, and dead silence 
follows.'] 

Come on — out with his name ! 

[They remain silent. ~\ 

You can't name him? Let me try to nominate him for 

you On a platform of proscription and revenge, 

the hanging of rebel leaders, the confiscation of the 
property of the white people of the South and its 
bestowment upon the negroes, the taking of the 
ballot from the whites and setting their slaves to 
rule over them — on this program I resign as your 
candidate and nominate for President, the Hon. 
Thaddeus Stevens 

The Committee 
[In a wild uproar.] 
No! No! No! Not by a damn sight! To hell with 
Stevens ! 

[Lincoln quietly laughs and Stevens angrily lifts 
his hand to quiet them.] 

Stevens 
Now that you've had your joke — let me remind you that 
the radical wing of the Republican Party has already 

named General John C. Fremont against you 

[62] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
[To the Committee.'] 

What say you, gentlemen ? Shall I resign in favor 

of the bolter who attempted to dictate to you your 
platform and your candidate before your convention 
met? Do you ask me to resign in favor of General 
Fremont ? 

The Committee 

No ! No ! Down with the bolter ! To the devil with Fre- 
mont. No ! No ! No ! Damnation — no 

[Raymond quiets the uproar.] 

Stevens 

I am not asking you to nominate Fremont. We split 
the party and named Fremont because we wouldn't 
have you. Get off the ticket and we will withdraw 
Fremont and put up a man who can be elected! 
Whatever the chances of General Fremont at this 
moment the election of McClellan on a Democratic 
Copperhead Platform is conceded by your own 
party councils. McClellan is even now choosing his 

Cabinet 

Lincoln 

They say it is not wise to count chickens before they're 
hatched — we still have our chance! 

Stevens 
You have no chance ! You have already been weighed 
and found wanting! In the Congressional election, 
what happened? — your majorities were wiped out. 
Maine cut you down from nineteen thousand to 
four! The Democrats swept Ohio. Indiana de- 
serted us. In Pennsylvania even, we lost by four 

[63] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

thousand. New York elected Horatio Seymour 
against us. New Jersey turned you down. Wis- 
consin was a tie. In your own state of Illinois, 
the Democrats won by seventeen thousand ! 

Lincoln 

Even so, Stevens — the ballots in this election have not 
yet been counted! My faith in the ultimate good 
sense of the people is unshaken. You can fool some 
of the people all the time. You can fool all of the 
people sometimes. But you can't fool all the people 
all the time ! 

Stevens 

That's why we ask you to get off the ticket! You are 
to-day the most unpopular man who ever sat in the 
Presidential chair. For the first time in our history 
the effigy of a living President — your effigy — has 
been publicly burned in the streets of American 
towns and cities, amid the curses and jeers of the 
men who elected you ! Your administration is a 
failure — your conduct of the war a series of 

blunders 

Lincoln 
[Brusquely.] 

For example 

Stevens 
[Furiously.] 

For one thing — you have never yet chosen a successful 
General. The South has not changed Commanders 
since Jeff Davis appointed Robert E. Lee. In thirty 
days of the last campaign in a series of massacres, 
Lee has killed and wounded sixty-two thousand of 

[64] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

our men — more than he himself commanded — and 
Grant has only reached the point where McClellan 
stood in 1862. He could have marched there by Mc- 
Clellan's old line without the loss of a man. Wash- 
ington is piled with the wounded, the dying and the 
dead. Your mail is choked with letters demanding 
the removal of this butcher as our Commander, and 
you refuse — why? 

Lincoln 
[Smiling calmly.'] 
Well, now that you've really let off steam, I think you'll 
feel better, Stevens ! 

Stevens 
I demand, sir, an answer to my question — why have you 
not removed Grant? 

Lincoln 
[Quickly.] 
Because I can't spare him! He is the one General we 
have developed who knows how to fight — his busi- 
ness is not to reach any particular spot where Mc- 
Clellan stood. McClellan was generally standing 
somewhere — he was a great engineer — of the sta- 
tionary type Grant is a fighter. His business is 

to find and destroy Lee's army — and his sledge ham- 
mer blows are winning this war ! 

Stevens 
Winning — is he? And yet Lee sends a division under 
Jubal Early and reconquers the Valley of Virginia 
— invades Maryland and Pennsylvania, throws his 
shells into Washington and burns the home of one 
of your Cabinet 

[65] 



A MAX OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
And if old Jubal Early had been a little earlier, he would 
have burned Washington, too — but thank God, 
Grant got here in time — didn't he ? What have you 
got to say to that? 

Stevens 

That Lee's strategy has been superb, his moral victory 
complete ! He holds Grant by the throat while he 
invades the North, and shells our Capitol — a feat 
that not one of your generals has yet done for Rich- 
mond in four years — and still you cling to 

Grant ! 

Lincoln 
[Angrily.'] 

Now, I'm going to talk plain English to you, Stevens. 
You're an Abolitionist, and you can't do Grant 
justice. Your crowd demanded his removal after 
the battle of Shiloh — and you made it so hot for me 
then, I had to appoint General Halleck his superior, 
to save him for the country. You can't forget that 
Grant is a Democrat, and therefore he may vote for 
McClellan against our party, in this election! 

Stevens 
I've heard that he is for McClellan 

Lincoln 
Exactly! And you can't forget that his wife is a 
Southern woman whose dowry was in Slaves, and 
therefore at this moment, Grant is constructively a 

slaveholder, whose slaves I have not freed 

[66] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Stevens 

I protest 

Lincoln 

It's no use — I know the process of your mind — I can see 
the wheels go round inside! You tell me that the 
star of Grant has set in a welter of blood before 
Lee's army. I do not believe it. I know that miles 
of hospital barracks are the witnesses of our agony. 
I know that every city, town and village is in mourn- 
ing. From these stricken homes there has arisen a 
storm of protest against the new leader of the 
army. The word butcher is bandied from lip to lip. 
They tell me that Grant is merely a bulldog fighter 
— that he can win only as long as thousands are 
poured into his ranks to take the place of the dead — . 
They tell me that he has no genius, no strategy, 
no skill. My reply to this is simple but unanswer- 
able. We must fight to win. Grant is the ablest 
general we have developed. His losses are appalling 
— but the struggle is on now to the bitter end ! Our 
resources are exhaustless. The South cannot re- 
place her fallen soldiers — and therefore her losses 
are fatal! If we continue to fight, five millions can- 
not whip twenty millions — the end is certain — and 
we're now locked in the last death grapple before — 
VICTORY! 

Stevens 

It's a waste of time to talk ! 

Lincoln 
I've thought so from the first, but I've tried to be 
polite 

[67} 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Stevens 



Lincoln 



[Trying to go.] 
Good day, sir ! 

[Cordially. ] 
Good day, Stevens 

[Pauses,"] 
You know this meeting reminds me of what happened in 

Illinois once 

Stevens 

[Throwing up his hands in anger.] 
I won't hear it, sir ! You and your stories are sending 

this country to hell — it's not more than a mile from 

there now! 

Lincoln 
I believe it is just a mile from here to the Capitol where 

you sit ! 

Stevens 

[Going in rage.] 
Damnation ! 

[Stevens goes muttering furiously.] 

Raymond 
You will consider our request, Mr. President? 

Lincoln 
Raymond, this is the most brutal insult ever offered to a 
man in my position in the history of this country. 
I'm going to waive the insult and give your request 
my earnest thought. If I can save the Union — 
that's the only question — that's the only question ! 

Raymond 
You will give us your answer to-day? 

[68] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
[Firmly.'] 
No. I must have time to think. As I've listened to you, 
the conviction grows on me that the life of the Union 
may be bound with mine now, and I'm not going to 
give up — without a fight. 

Raymond 
[Brusquely.] 
We cannot leave Washington without your answer, Mr. 
President. 

Lincoln 
You'll get it in due time. 

Raymond 
The time is short 

Lincoln 
It may be long enough yet, to save the Nation 

Raymond 

[Firmly.] 
The Committee must take definite action before we leave 
— we will give you ten days to decide 

Lincoln 
I understand. Good day, gentlemen! 

All 
[Bowing out.] 
Good day, Mr. President. 

[Lincoln stands erect, with Nicolay watching 
them go in silence. When the last man is gone, 
he turns to Nicolay.] 

[69] 



A MAX OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
It's infamous, John ! Infamous ! 

[Mrs. Lincoln otters hurriedly.] 
Don't tell her the nasty things old Thad said to me. It 
:'.! hurt her. 

XlCOLAY 

Of course not. 

Bins. Lincoln 

[Tensely.] 
Wha: is it, Father — what did they s:. 

[He pauses and she presses Jum tremblingly.] 
What did they say? What did they sa; 

Lincoln 
[With dreamy look.] 
They told me in plain English that I am the most un- 
popular man in the L'nited States — that my conduct 
of the war is a series of blunders, my administration 
a failure! 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[Relieved.] 
Oh !— is that all ! 

Lincoln 

What more ? 

Mrs. Lincoln 
I thought they had something important to tell you 

LlNCOLN 

[Laughs.] 

Oh! " 

Mrs. Lincoln 
That is of no importance, because it's a lie 

[ro] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
But, if they believe it, and millions of people believe 

it 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Well, they won't. I've something important to ask of 
you — Betty Winter's in my room and wants to bring 
her lover here to see you alone for an hour to- 
night 

Lincoln 
I'll see Miss Betty Winter any time — she is my good 
friend — make it nine o'clock. 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[Going.'] 
At nine — don't forget now ! 

Lincoln 

I'll not 

[Mrs. Lincoln exits.'] 
John, is General McClellan at home? 

Nicolay 
I saw him to-day, sir. 

Lincoln 
Go to his house immediately and tell him I want to see 
him here at eight o'clock to-night. Say that it's a 
matter of the gravest importance — both to him and 
to the country — he can't refuse. 

Nicolay 
Yes, sir. 

Lincoln 
Say to General McClellan that I would come to him but 
for the fact that it would attract attention which I 

[71] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

wish to avoid. It will be the best for both that this 
meeting should not be known. Ask him to come in a 
closed carriage. Assure him that you will meet him 
at the door and he will see no one but me 

Nicolay 
You can't take me into your confidence, Chief? 

Lincoln 
[Pauses."] 

Partly — I'm going to put McClellan to the supreme test, 
John. If he will make me one pledge on the Cop- 
perhead issue which I will ask of him, I'll name for 
this Committee a candidate they're not looking for — 
I'll give them the surprise of their life — so help me 
God! 

Nicolay 

I don't think the General will give that pledge, sir. 

Lincoln 
[Gazing upward and folding his arms.'] 

I wonder ! — I wonder if he will ! 
[Nicolay exits.] 

I wonder if he will 



CURTAIN 



ACT II 

Set Scene: The same as Act I at a quarter to eight 
the same evening. 

At Rise : Edward, the old Doorman is straightening the 
furniture in the room. He clumsily clears the Ho or 
of a litter of letters and places them in the corner 
with the unopened bag. He draws the heavy 
draperies of the windows and adjusts them so that 
no ray of light can reach the outside. Mrs. Lincoln 
enters and watches him fix the draperies. 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[Speaking suddenly.] 

Edward ! 

Edward 
[Jumping in fright.] 
Yes, Madam! 

Mrs. Lincoln 
What on earth are you doing in here ? 

Edward 
[In terror of Mrs. Lincoln.] 
Just — er drawin' — er the curtains, Madam. 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[Sternly.] 
These curtains haven't been drawn in a year 

[73] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Edward 
[Stammering.] 

I-don't-think-they-have-either 



Mrs. Lincoln 
You know they haven't! 

Edward 
[Gulping wind.] 

Yes'm 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Who told you to draw them? 

Edward 
Colonel Xicolay ! 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Where is he? 

Edward 
Down-stairs, on the door. 

Mrs. Lincoln 
In your place? 

Edward 

Yes'm 

Mrs. Lincoln 
While you're up here acting as house maid? 

Edward 
[Embarrassed.] 

Well, so it seems, Madam 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[Sternly.] 
What does this mean? 

[-4] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Edward 
I do not know, Madam 



Mrs. Lincoln 
[Sarcastically,'] 

And you haven't the slightest idea — I suppose? 

Edward 
Not the slightest. My experience as Doorman of the 
White House has taught me that my first duty is to 
obey the orders of my Chief 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Mr. Lincoln asked you to remain on duty here to-night ? 

Edward 
[Bows] 
Asked me as a particular personal favor to him, that I 
remain on duty until eight o'clock and dismiss all 
the other White House attendants 

Mrs. Lincoln 
The guard has been dismissed! 

Edward 
Yes, Madam, both of them — inside and out. 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Ask Colonel Nicolay to come here 

Edward 
[Hesitates.'] 

Yes'm 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[Sharply.] 
Quick ! 

[75] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Edward 
[Jumps.] 

Right away, Madam! 

[Mrs. Lincoln quickly examines the President's 
desk, looking for a memorandum of his appoint- 
ments — she finds a pad and reads.] 

Mrs. Lincoln 

At eight o'clock 

At nine o'clock — Miss Betty Winter 

[Nicolay enters hurriedly.] 

Nicolay 
What is it, Madam? 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Who has this mysterious appointment with the President 
at eight o'clock — the name is blank. 

Nicolay 
I am forbidden to discuss it with any one. 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[Angrily.] 
Indeed ! 

Nicolay 
I am sorry. 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Do you know who is coming? 

Nicolay 

Yes 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Do you know the subject for discussion at this meeting? 

[76] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

NlCOLAY 

I wish to God I did 



[Lincoln enters and glances at his wife in sur- 
prise.'] 

Lincoln 
Will you go back to the door, John 

NlCOLAY 

At once — sir 

Lincoln 
And tell Edward I'm much obliged to him for staying, 
but he can go now 

NlCOLAY 

Yes, sir 

Lincoln 
See that he goes before our visitor arrives. I have asked 
him to say nothing about this appointment. 

NlCOLAY 

You can trust him implicitly, sir 

[Nicolay exits.] 

Mrs. Lincoln 
But, you can't trust your wife, to-night, it seems 

Lincoln 
[Whimsically.] 
Well, you know you're a woman, Mother 



Mrs. Lincoln 
[Angrily.] 
Thank God 

[771 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
Amen ! So say I ! 

Mrs. Lincoln 
You're afraid to tell me — who this man is ? 



Lincoln 
I may tell you to-morrow 

Mrs. Lincoln 
When — you've-made-some-fatal-blunder- 

Lincoln 
I'll make no mistake this time 



Mrs. Lincoln 
Then why are you afraid of my woman's intuition 

Lincoln 
[Smiling. ] 
I'm not afraid of your intuition, Mother 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Thank you. 

Lincoln 

I didn't say it! 

[Laughs.] 
— But you know you do talk too much sometimes! 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[Angrily.'] 
And I'm going to say something to you now. I thought 
this morning that you would treat those scoundrels 
with the contempt thev deserve when they dared to 

[78] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

ask you to sacrifice yourself and the cause of the 
Union to the ambitions of some traitor behind them. 

Lincoln 
No ! No ! They're honest in what they say 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[Furious.'} 
You're too good and simple for this world! Don't you 
know that some schemer is behind all this ? 

Lincoln 

Maybe It's not a crime, Mother, for a man to aspire 

to high office, if the bee's in his bonnet. You know 
I've felt it tickle me lots of times 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Don't — don't — don't say such foolish things. You need 
a guardian. You kept three men in your Cabinet 
who used their position to try to climb into the 
Presidency over your head. And you didn't kick 
them out. 

Lincoln 
The country needed them. 

Mrs. Lincoln 
[With earnest dignity.] 
The country needs you — you are the man, and the only 
man who has the simple common sense to save this 
Union first, and settle all other questions after- 
wards 

Lincoln 
That may be so — too 

[79] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Mrs. Lincoln 
Tell me one thing — is the man who has this appointment 
at eight the traitor whom Raymond's Committee is 
trying to put in your place ? 

Lincoln 
No ! Yet — if there is anywhere a better man who can 
render the country a greater service than I can, he 
ought to be in my place 

Mrs. Lincoln 
But don't you see that it isn't really the man who can 
give the greater service who will win in such a 
treacherous fight? It's the liar and the hypocrite 
who may win. 

Lincoln 
I have no right in such an hour to think of my own 
ambitions. My personal desire for a second term is 

the biggest thing in my life, God knows 

[He pauses as his voice breaks — he struggles a mo- 
ment and lifts his hand as if to throw off an 
obsession with a determined smile.'] 
And yet, my personal desire is a petty thing! My duty 
to-day is the biggest thing in the world! 

Mrs. Lincoln 
You won't take my advice and send these men about 
their business ? 

Lincoln 
Mary, I've got to fight this thing out alone, with myself 

and God 

Mrs. Lincoln 
I sometimes think, Father, that you're the stubbornest 
man the Lord ever made ! 

[80] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 

Fve got to be — to do this job 

[Mrs. Lincoln exits.] 

[Lincoln paces the -floor with his arms locked be- 
hind him in tense thought.] 

[Nicolay enters.] 

Nicolay 
The carriage is approaching, sir. 

Lincoln 
The coast is clear ? 

Nicolay 

Yes. Edward has gone 

[He pauses.] 
You, of course, realize, Chief, the importance of a cool 
head in dealing with McClellan 

Lincoln 
I won't lose my temper, John. 

Nicolay 
McClellan may lose his 

Lincoln 

I'll watch out 

[Looking over his desk.] 

That report of Baker's on the Copperhead Societies 

Nicolay 
[Pointing.] 
Under that paper weight, sir 

Lincoln 

Oh, yes, I see 

[81] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

[Picks up report, glances at it, and lays it back on 
his desk.] 
I'm ready — bring him in. See that we are not inter- 
rupted, and when he goes, I'll not need you any more 
to-night. I'll let in the young people myself, at nine 
o'clock. 

Nicolay 
Yes, sir. 

[Nicolay exits and Lincoln returns to his desk and 
writes.~\ 

[Nicolay enters with General McClellan. The 
General is thirty-eight years old, dressed in a 
uniform of immaculate cut, Hashing with gold. 
While his figure is short and stocky, in striking 
contrast to the President, he is a man of com- 
manding appearance, and gives one the impression 
of a born leader of men. He enters with quick 
military precision and salutes with studied for- 
mality the President as his superior officer. 
The President answers his salute, as Nicolay 
exits.] 

Lincoln 
I suggest, General McClellan, that we forget for the 
moment that I am the Commander in Chief of the 
Army and Navy — and we have a little heart to heart 
talk in a perfectly informal way 

McClellan 
[Stiffening.'] 
May I enquire, Mr. President, at once, to what I owe 
this extraordinary summons? 

[82] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
[Cordially.'] 
Will you be seated, General ? 



McClellan 
Thank you, I prefer to stand. 

[Angrily.'] 
What right have you to send for me or ask anything, 

after the foul injustice with which you have treated 

me as Commanding General 

Lincoln 
[Interrupting.] 
Just a moment — I have not treated you with injustice — 
I have treated you with more than justice. I have 
treated you with the generous faith and love of a 
father for a wayward boy 

McClellan 

Really! 

Lincoln 

I have. When I appointed you to the chief command of 
our Army, ytfu were but thirty-four years old. I 
did it against the bitterest opposition of my party 
leaders. They told me you were a proHblavery 
Democrat — a political meddler, and that you were 
opposed to me on every issue before the people. I 
refused to listen. I asked but one question: Is 
McClellan the man to whip the new army into a 
mighty nghting / machine, and hurl it against the 
Confederacy? I said to them: "I don't care what 
Ms religion is, or his politics may be. The question 

[83] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

not whether I shall save the Union — but that the 
Union shall be saved. My future and the future of 
my parts* can take care of themselves" — and I ap- 
pointed you. 

McClellan 
And forced me to march against Richmond before I was 
ready ! 

Lixcoln 
I ordered you to move, because it was necessary to fore- 
'.1 a great tragedy. Your army of iSo.ooo men 
had gone into winter quarters around a glittering 
camp over which a young Napoleon presided. Fools 
about you daily advised that you proclaim the end 
of the Republic and establish yourself as Dictator. 
You do not deny this ? 

McClelxan 

Xo. The fact is well known. Besides, Stanton, your 
Secretary of War, was at that time my attorney, 

and he knew 

Lincoln 

Exactly. I took the bull by the horns and ordered your 
grand army to move on Richmond. When you failed 
and retreated, I refused to dismiss you against the 
fierce protest of my Cabinet. I left you in command 
of half our men and appointed General Pope to 
lead the other half. 

McClellan 
[Sucerinaly.] 
And he led them to overwhelming disaster at the second 
battle of Manassas 

[84] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
[Quickly. ] 

For which disaster, you must share the blame. You 
were ordered to join Pope. You didn't move. Pope 
was broken by a deliberate design, that was little 
short of treason, sir. But instead of agreeing to the 
demand for your trial by court martial, I did the 
most unpopular act of my life. I reappointed you 
to the chief command of the whole army — defied 
public opinion, and faced a storm of abuse in my 
party councils. 

McClellan 

And when I led that superb, reorganized army to our first 
victory at Antietam, you removed me from my com- 
mand before I could win my campaign. 

Lincoln 

I removed you from your command because, after you 
had cut Lee's army to pieces, and he had but 23,000 
men left, and you had 75,000 — three to one — you lay 
down on your arms and allowed Lee to escape 
across the river without a blow — while Jeb. Stuart 
with his cavalry once more insulted you by riding 
around your army. Come now, can't we leave to 
posterity to settle the merits of our controversy over 
the command of armies? Can't you believe me to- 
day, when I tell you with God as my witness, that I 
have never allowed a personal motive to enter into 
a single appointment or removal which I have 

made ? 

McClellan 

I cannot believe it 

[85] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 

In spite of the fact that when I reappointed you to the 

chief command of the army after the disaster to 

Pope, you thought that my messenger was an officer 

with a warrant for your arrest! You still say 

no ? 

McClellan 
I still say no — you had to do it — and you know that you 
had to reappoint me. 

Lincoln 
Well, I'll not pretend that I didn't understand the seri- 
ousness of that hour. The Army was behind you, 
to a man! I sounded the officers, I sounded the 
men. They were against me and with you. If the 
leaders had dared risk their necks on a revolution, 
they might have won and set up a Dictatorship! 

McClellan 
Just so! 

Lincoln 
This power over men which you possess, General Mc- 
Clellan, is a marvelous thing. It is a dangerous 
force. It can be used to create a Nation, or destroy 
one. Because you held this power over your men, I 
honestly believed you were the ablest General in 
sight, and I called you back to your high position. 

McClellan 
[With a smile.] 
Very kind ! 

Lincoln 
You had to win or lose at Antietam. If you had won I 
was vindicated, and your success would have been 
[86] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

mine! But when Lee's army escaped, you lost the 
power over the imagination of your men, the threat 
of a Dictatorship had passed — the supremacy of the 
civil government was restored, and I removed you 
from command 

McClellan 
[Angrily. ,] 
I repeat that your act was one of foul injustice ! 

Lincoln 
[Cordially.'] 
All right then. I've given you my side. Granted for the 
sake of argument that I have treated you unfairly, 
I'm going to put you to a supreme test. I am going 
to propose, on a certain condition, to the man whom 
I have wronged, an amazing thing 

McClellan 
Hence the secrecy with which I am summoned ! 

Lincoln 

Yes. I have just written out on this sheet of paper 

[Takes up the sheet.] 

and addressed to Henry Raymond, Chairman of our 
National Committee, my resignation as a Candidate 
for the Presidency for a second term — and I will 
give it to him to-night, if you will agree to take my 
place and save the Union ? 

McClellan 
[Overwhelmed with excitement.] 
What-can-you-mean ? 

[87] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
Exactly what I've said. 

McClellan 

[Paces the floor trembling.] 
And vour conditions ? 



Lincoln 
Very simple. Agree to preside to-morrow night at a 
great Democratic L'nion Mass Meeting in Xew 
York, and boldly put yourself at the head of that 
wing of your party which stands for the preserva- 
tion of the L'nion 

McClellan 

And you ? 

Lincoln 
I will withdraw from the race, secure your endorsement, 
or prevent my party from naming a successor, take 
the stump for you and guarantee your election. 

McClellan 

[Studies Lincoln a moment with suspicion.] 
You are in earnest ? 

Lincoln 
I was never more so. 

McClellan 

And there is no string to this offer? 

Lincoln 

On my word of honor 

[Dreamily.] 
It is needless for me to say that I came into this office 
with high ambitions to serve my countrv. My dream 
[88] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

of glory may be at an end and I have left only the 

agony and the tears 

[He pauses, breathes deeply, and struggles with his 
emotions, recovers himself, and goes on wist- 
fully.] 
I did want a chance to stay here for another term to 
see the sun shine again, to heal my country's 
wounds, and show all the people, North, South, East 
and West, that I love them. But I can't risk the 
chances of this election — if you and I can come 
to a perfect understanding, and you agree to take 
my place upon the solemn pledge to save the Union 
without division. I've made up my mind to this, 
because I have on my desk here a report from our 

Secret Service 

[Pauses and picks up the report.] 
showing that the Copperhead Societies are of your 
party and are thoroughly organized in every state of 
the North — that they demand an immediate peace 
and will accept a division of the Union 

McClellan 
[Interrupting.] 
What has this to do with me, may I ask ? 



Lincoln 
[Evenly.] 
This report shows that they propose to end the war on 
the night of the election by a revolutionary upris- 
ing which will result in the recognition of the Con- 
federacy. I am now being urged to arrest their 
leaders. 
[He pauses and watches McClellan closely.] 

[89] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

I shall answer no. Let sleepings dogs lie. One revo- 
lution at a time. If the Union candidate wins the 
election, they won't dare to rise. If he loses, it's all 
over anyhow — and ft makes no difference what they 
do. 

McClellan 

A sensible decision 

Lincoln 
I'm glad you agree with it. Now the Democratic Con- 
vention meets in Chicago next week — you have no 
opposition. Your nomination will be unanimous. 
The question is, — what will they do on the issue of 
the war? The leaders of the Copperhead Societies 
are now in touch with the rebel government in Rich- 
mond 

McClellan 
That's a large statement, sir — even about Copperhead So- 
cieties 

Lincoln 

I have the proofs in this document 

[Touches Baker's report.'] 
My fear is, that they may get complete control of your 

Convention 

McClellan 
[Angrily.'] 

Indeed ? 

Lincoln 
I have heard the ugly rumor that they are counting on 

you 

McClellan 
[Advancing.] 

Stop ! 

[90] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
[Going to meet McClellan and holding his gaze 
firmly.'] 

Well ? 

McClellan 
No man can couple the word Treason with my name, 
sir— — ! 

Lincoln 

Have I done so ? 

McClellan 
You are insinuating it ! 

Lincoln 
Am I? 

McClellan 
I demand a retraction! 

Lincoln 
[Smiling.'] 
Then, I apologize for my careless expressions. I am 
glad to see you meet the ugly subject in this way! 
I have never believed you a traitor to the Union. 
That's why I sent for you to-night. Will you de- 
nounce these men publicly at a Union Mass Meeting, 
and let me resign and take the stump for you ? 

McClellan 
[Hesitates.] 
I am sure of this election without your help, sir! 

Lincoln 

You can't be 

McClellan 
A straw vote was taken yesterday in the Carver Hos- 
pital. The wounded soldiers gave me three votes to 

[91] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

your one. Straws show which way the wind is 
blowing. I know that your party is divided — that 
John C. Fremont has split your organization, and 
is daily gaining ground — that unless he retires, you 
can't be elected ! Your party is in a hopeless 
panic — and my election is conceded. Yet, you ask 
me allow you to dictate the policy of my administra- 
tion! 

Lincoln 
[Evenly and pressingly.] 

Will you denounce these conspirators within your 

party ? 

McClellan 

No ! When I need your advice on any public utter- 
ance, I'll let you know. 

Lincoln 
Will you preside over this Union Meeting? 

McClellan 
[Firmly.] 

Never! I'll do my best to save my country, but in my 

own way without suggestion or assistance f r om 

you Lincoln 

[With firm conviction.'] 
Then, sir, you are committed by your pledges to the 
possible division of this Union! I suspected it — but 
I had hoped for the best — good night ! 
[The General boi^s stiffly and leaves the President 
standing in sorroivful silence, his deep eyes staring 
into space, seeing nothing as Nicolay enters.] 
[Pausing, and looking up.] 

I thought you'd gone ? 

[92] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

NlCOLAY 

I hope there may be something else I can do for you, 

sir ? 

Lincoln 
Yes — there is 

NlCOLAY 

What? 

Lincoln 
Bear witness with me to this, the blackest hour of my 

life — I have touched the depths of despair 

[Springs to his feet.] 
But I can't give up — there's too much at stake! 

NlCOLAY 

Corruption, intrigue and malice are doing their work, 
Chief — but you can't be beaten ! Unless you should 



give up ! 


Lincoln 


Well! I won't 


give up! 



NlCOLAY 

McClellan refused the pledge you asked? 

Lincoln 
Yes. He is bound hand and foot to the Copperhead 
leaders who will control his convention 

NlCOLAY 

I thought so 

Lincoln 
John, if I could win one man out of the inner councils 

of the Copperhead orders — one man who really 

loves his country 

[93] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

NlCOLAY 

Can a Copperhead love his country ? 



Lincoln 

Why not ? A rattlesnake might love his own fence 

corner! There are plenty of honest misguided men 
among them. I have been studying Baker's report 

this afternoon If I could just get hold of one 

Copperhead who knows the signs and passwords of 
their inner council, I've worked out A PLAN 
THAT CAN WIN THIS FIGHT ! 

NlCOLAY 

[Suddenly.'] 
The very man may be on the way here at this moment ! 

Lincoln 
[Eagerly.] 
What's that ? 

NlCOLAY 

[Thinking.] 

Miss Winter is due here with her lover — a young Cap- 
tain of Grant's Army 

[Pauses."] 

Lincoln 

Well ? 

NlCOLAY 

[Slowly.] 
In view of the attempts to take your life — I made some 
inquiries to-day about him — I knew the White 

House would be without guards to-night 

[Pauses.] 

[94] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
Yes — yes — go on ! What about him? 

NlCOLAY 

He was on McClellan's staff at one time 



That's 


promising- 


. f 


NlCOLAY 


He's a 


McClellan 


man- 


—then 



Lincoln 
Beyond a doubt 

NlCOLAY 

In the hospital the past two months he has heard a lot 
of bitter talk 

Lincoln 
[Quickly.'} 
And may have joined The Knights of the Golden 
Circle ! 

NlCOLAY 

It's almost a certainty 

Lincoln 
Of course. Their infernal agents haunt our hospitals 
daily, and pour their poison into every open 
wound 

NlCOLAY 

Prove to this boy to-night that these men are liars 

[95] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
If hell listen 

NlCOLAY 

He's got to listen! He comes to ask of you a great 



favor- 



Lincoln 
I wonder what? 

Nicolay 
I couldn't find out. But you can use the opportunity to 

gain his confidence. He is engaged to a girl who is 

Mrs. Lincoln's intimate friend — a girl who admires 

and trusts you. You can win him, Chief, if you 

only try ! 

Lincoln 

[With excited emphasis.] 
Don't you worry — I'm going to try ! 

[Pauses."] 
— You wait and show them in. I'll report to Mother 

my talk with McClellan. She'll be uneasy about it. 

I'll be back in a minute 

Nicolay 
All right, sir. 

[Lincoln exits.] 

[Nicolay watches him go with deep sympathy, 
shaking his head as Betty and Vaughan enter. 1 

Nicolay 

Oh, Miss Winter 

Betty 
Captain Vaughan, — Colonel Nicolay 

[96] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

NlCOLAY 

[Studying Vaughan.] 
Pleased to meet you, Captain — the President will be 
back in a moment. He has just stepped in to speak 
to Mrs. Lincoln. He is expecting you — make your- 
selves at home 

Betty 

Thank you, Colonel 

[Nicolay exits.] 
What's the matter, dear ? 



Vaughan 
Nothing — nothing — . — 

Betty 

But your arm is trembling 1 didn't realize you're so 

weak — I keep forgetting that you're just out of the 

hospital 

Vaughan 

Oh— I'm all right 

Betty 

I'm afraid of the strain of this interview ! 

[Pauses.] 
— You've never told me, dear — for what was your father 
imprisoned ? 

Vaughan 
[Deliberately.] 
He made a speech against the war in our town in Mis- 
souri and printed it in a pamphlet 

Betty 
Oh — for making and circulating seditious writing 

[97] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Vaughan 

Technically, yes — in reality for exercising the right of 

free speech on a policy of the government 

Betty 

It may be very serious 

[Pauses."] 
— I've an idea «■ ! Let me stay and help you 

Vaughan 
But I may have something to say that a girl's ears should 

not hear 

Betty 
Please don't say it! You differ with the President in 
politics. You must say nothing to offend him 

Vaughan 

I'll not ! I think I love my country as well as I love 

my father 

Betty 
Let me stay! 

Vaughan 
You mustn't — I don't need a chaperone 

Betty 
But you may need a friend 

Vaughan 
[Bitterly.'] 
He does wield a terrible power, doesn't he? 

Betty 
Yes — with the tenderness and love of a father 

[98] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Vaughan 
[Lightly, 1 

All right, dear, run aking now, see Mrs. Lincoln and 
get the President to come 

Betty 
Can't I stay and help you ? 

Vaughan 

No, no 

Betty 
It means so much to me now ! 



[She nestles in his arms and Vaughan kisses her.~\ 

Vaughan 
I'll know how to plead my cause 

Betty 

All right — good luck. Fm sure you'll win 

[Betty exite.] 

[Vaughan walks to- the door leading to the Lin- 
coln Apartments, and listens a moment, and walks 
to the President's desk. His eye rests on the 
worn copy of the Bible which Lincoln always 
kept on his desk. He gases at the thumbed pages 
in amazement.'] 

Vaughan 
The Bible— My God ! 
{Turns its leaves.] 

And every page thumbed ! 

[He continues to turn the leaves of the Bible.] 

[Tlve sound of Lincoln's voice is heard outside 
talking to M*s. Lincoln.] 
[99] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
[Outside.] 

Go back, and talk to Miss Betty! 

[Vaughan quickly places the Bible back on his desk 
and takes his stand near the door to the hall, as 
if he had just entered. Lincoln enters from the 
other door, still talking to his wife who follows 
him.] 
Don't worry, Mother ! Who cares for a few old dresses 

more or less in these times ! But if I'd known they 

cost that much, I'd taken a second look at them and 

tried to get my money's worth ! 

Mrs. Lincoln 
You're sure it won't influence your decision? 

Lincoln 
Not a bit! If we stay here — it'll be all right. We can 
skimp a little. If we don't stay — the old sign still 
swings on the door in Springfield — Billy Herndon's 
waiting for me and the law business will be better 
than ever. Go back now, and don't worry! It's 

my business to do all the worrying 

[Lincoln closes the door after she goes, and comes 

down toward the desk, lifts his haggard eyes in a 

dazed way and looks about the room. Anxiety 

and suffering again mark Ids rugged face. He 

sees Vaughan, and at once throws off the spell 

of his troubles, advances to meet him and takes 

his hand.] 

I'm glad to see you, my boy — Will you pull up a chair? 

[Lincoln drops wearily into his chair and his 

[IOO] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

voice has a far-away dreamy expression in its 
tones while he studies Vaughan carefully.] 
And what can I do for you ? 

Vaughan 
My name is Vaughan — the elder son of Dr. Richard 
Vaughan of Palmyra, Missouri 

Lincoln 
[Thoughtfully.] 

Vaughan — Richard Vaughan — I've heard that name — 
But you're one of our boys righting with Grant's 
army? 

Vaughan 

Yes 

Lincoln 
[Looking him over.] 
You've been very ill, I see — wounded of course? 

Vaughan 

Yes 

Lincoln 
[Rises, takes Vaughan's hands in both his, and 
presses it.] 
There's nothing I won't do for one of our wounded 
boys — if I can 

Vaughan 
Thank you 

Lincoln 
What is it? 

[IOI] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Vaughan 
[With cold precision.] 
My mother writes me that my father has been arrested 
without warrant, is held in prison without bail, and 

denied the right of trial 

[He pauses, trembling with excitement.] 

Lincoln 

Go on — my boy 

Vaughan 
I have come to ask for justice 



Lincoln 

He shall have it 

Vaughan 
I ask that he be confronted by his accusers in open court 
and given a fair trial 

Lincoln 
[Interrupting.] 
For what was he arrested? 

Vaughan 
For exercising the right of free speech. In a public 
address, he denounced the war 

Lincoln 
Oh ! — And his address was printed ? 

[Lincoln picks up the little booklet and looks again 
at the title page and then at Vaughan.] 

Vaughan 

He had as much right to print as to speak it 

[102] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 

No, he hadn't 

[Pauses and looks at Vaughan.] 
You say your father's name is Richard Vaughan ? 

Vaughan 
Yes — Dr. Richard Vaughan — and I ask for him a fair 
trial confronted by his accusers — I ask for justice — 

will you grant him this trial ? 

[Lincoln lays the pamphlet down on his desk and 
rises. ,] 

Lincoln 
[Shakes his head.] 

I cannot ! I cannot do it! 

[He folds his arms behind his back and paces the 
floor, unconscious of the glitter of murder in 
Vaughan's eyes. Vaughan slowly draws his re- 
volver and is about to lift to fire, when Lincoln 
suddenly turns and speaks.] 
[With sharp emphasis.] 
That little pamphlet, sir, found its way into the ranks 
and caused a number of soldiers to desert 

Vaughan 
Who says this? 

Lincoln 
I happen to know it ! 

[Lincoln pauses and shakes his head sorrow- 
fully.] 
You see, my boy, your house is divided against itself — 
the symbol of our unhappy country. Of course, I 
didn't know of this particular case. Such things 
hurt me so, I refuse to know them unless I must. 
[103] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

They tell me that Seward and Stanton have arrested 
without warrant and hold in jail more than thirty- 
five thousand men at this moment. I hope the num- 
ber is exaggerated — still it may be so 

Vaughan 
[ Angrily. 1 
It's true — I've learned it since my father's arrest! 

Lincoln 
[Tenderly.] 
But, come now, my son, put yourself in my place ! I'm 
here to save the Union for which you are fighting — 
for which you have poured out your blood. I've 
armed two million men and we are spending four 
millions a day, to fight the South for trying to se- 
cede. My opponents, taking advantage of our sor- 
row, harangue the people and elect hostile legisla- 
tures in the Northern states. They were about to 
pass ordinances of Secession and establish a North- 
western Confederacy! Shall I fight Secession in 
the South and merely argue with it here? I was 
compelled to suspend the civil law, arrest these men 
and hold them without bail or trial 

Vaughan 
You are using the naked power of an emperor then? 

Lincoln 
[Shaking his head sadly.] 
I have been entrusted with that power for a brief 
term by the people. I am using it sorrowfully but 
firmly — and I am backed by the prayers of the 
mothers whose sons are dying for our cause — and 
[104] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

the silent millions out there, whom I can't at this 
moment see — but whom I love and trust. 

Vaughan 
[With angry tears.] 
The Constitution of the Republic guarantees to every 
freeman the right to trial in open court, confronted 
by his accusers 

Lincoln 
[Passionately. ] 

But we are fighting a war for the life of the Constitution 
itself! I did not begin it. Once begun it must be 
fought to the end and the Nation saved. We must 
prove now that among freemen there can be no 
successful appeal from the ballot to the bayonet. 
To preserve the Constitution of the Eepublic I must 
in this crisis strain some of its provisions 

Vaughan 
[In hard tones.] 
And you will not interfere to give these accused men a 
trial? 

Lincoln 
I dare not interfere ! The civil law must be suspended 
for the moment — as the law of life is suspended 
while the surgeon cuts a cancer out of bleeding 
flesh ! I cannot shoot one soldier for desertion if 
I allow the man to go free who causes him to de- 
sert 

[He pauses, and puts his hands on Vaughan's 
shoulders.] 
Don't think, my son, that all the suffering of this war 

[105] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

is not mine ! Every shell from those guns finds my 
heart. The tears of widows and orphans — all, the 
bhie and the gray — are mine! For we are equally 
responsible for this war! When I came here from 
the West, I found a panic-stricken North, strangling 
with the poison of Secession. Our fathers had 
only dreamed a Union — they never lived to see it. 
The North had threatened Secession for thirty 
years. Horace Greeley in his great paper on the day 
of my inauguration was telling the millions who 
hung on his word as the oracle from Heaven, that 
Secession was inevitable ! "Therefore let our erring 
sisters of the South go !" was his daily cry. I 
could not have prevented this war, nor could Jef- 
ferson Davis. We are in the grip of mighty forces 
sweeping in from the centuries. We are fighting the 

battle of the ages 

[He pauses again.'] 
But our country's worth it, my boy, if we can only save 
it ! Out of this agony will be born a united people. 
There has never been a democracy in this world be- 
cause there's never been one without the shadow 
of a slave. We must build a real Government of 
the people, by the people, for the people. It's not 
the question merely of four million black slaves. 
It's a question of the life of freemen yet unborn. 
I hear the tread of these coming millions. Their 
destiny is in your hands and mine. A mighty Union 
of free democratic states without a slave — the hope, 
refuge and inspiration of the world — a beacon light 
on the shores of time! 
[Pauses.] 

[106] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

— There's but one tragedy, that can have no ray of light, 
and that is that this blood we are now pouring 
out shall have flowed in vain, and these brave men 
shall die for naught, that the old curse shall remain, 
the Union be broken into hostile sections and these 
battles must be fought again. 

[He pauses, breathes deeply } and lifts his figure as 
if to throzu off another nightmare and slips his 
arm around Vaughan.] 

My enemies call me a tyrant and usurper ! I who came 
up here from a pioneer's cabin in the wilderness, 

out of rags and poverty 

[Pauses. ] 

— How well I remember when my mother looked at 
them and said — "This is nothing — it doesn't count 
here — it's what you feel — it's what you believe — 

it's what you see that counts " 

[Struggles with his emotions.'] 

Now I'm going to show you something, my son, and I'll 
let you be the judge as to whether I'm a tyrant — 
[He takes up tJte booklet and hands it to 
Vaughan.] 

Read the title page. 

Vaughan 
[Reading in amazement.'] 

"WHY SHOULD BROTHERS FIGHT?" By Dr. 
Richard Vaughan. 

Lincoln 
That pamphlet was taken by his sister from the pocket 
of a poor ignorant boy, who was sentenced to be shot 

for desertion to-morrow at sunrise 

[107] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Vaughan 
No! Xo! 

Lincoln 

I pardoned him this morning 

[Vaughan sighs his relief.] 

Your father wrote and printed that poison, and has for- 
feited his life for that boy's act 

Vaughan 
[Trembling.'] 
I know you could order his execution 



Lincoln 

I said to-day that I'd hang such a man on a gallows forty 

cubits high — but now that I see you trembling 

[He pauses.] 
I shall not order his execution. I shall only hold him 

until the war is over, and then let him and all the 

others go 

[Pauses.'] 
Tyrant and usurper they call me ! And I'm the humblest 

man who walks the earth to-night! 

Vaughan 
[Slowly sinking to a seat and covering his face with 
his hands in a cry of despair.] 

Oh, — my God ! 

Lincoln 
[Bending in sorrowful amazement and touching 
Vaughan's head.] 

Why, — what's the matter, my boy ? I'm the only 

man to despair. You're just a Captain in the army. 
You have only to obey your superior officer. If to 
[108] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

be the head of hell is as hard as what I've had to 
undergo here, I could find it in my heart to pity 
Satan himself. And if there's a man outside of per- 
dition who suffers more than I do, I pity him ! 

Vaughan 
[Springing to his feet and throwing his hands up 
in anguish.] 
You don't understand ! You don't understand ! 

Lincoln 
Understand — what ? 

Vaughan 
[Impetuously.] 

When I lay in the hospital suffering from my wounds, I 
received the letter telling me of my father's im- 
prisonment. I must have gone mad — for when you 
refused to-night to give him a trial — I started to — 

kill — you Oh, my God! 

[Breaks down.] 

Lincoln 

To kill me ! You are the second man to try it. 

He'll get me the next time — I who envy the dead 

their rest ! 

[Laughs.] 

What a strange thing this life of ours ! 
[Pauses.] 

Why didn't you do it ? 

Vaughan 
Because, for the first time you made me see things as 

they are, and I got a glimpse of the inside 

[109] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
[Eagerly.] 

Then, I won — didn't I ? 



Vaughan 

Yes — and I can never forgive myself the thought of 

harming you ! 

Lincoln 
[Ignoring his grief.] 

If I've won you, I can win others, if I only get their 
ear and make them know as you know ! All I need 
is a little time! And I'm going to fight for it 

now 

[With quick uplift of spirit.] 

I've told you the truth and the truth has turned a mur- 
derer into my friend ! If only the people can 
know — can have time to think, I'll win — I'll win — ! 
Look here — I've won you now ? 

Vaughan 
[Eagerly.] 

Just give me a chance to prove it ! 

[Lincoln studies Vaughan thoughtfully.] 

Lincoln 
You doubtless said many bitter things in Washnigton ? 

Vaughan 

Many of them 

Lincoln 
Then, you were approached by the leaders of a Copper- 
head Secret Order called The Knights of the Golden 
Circle — were you not? 

[no] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Vaughan 

Yes ! 

Lincoln 

I thought so 

[Cautiously.'] 
You — joined the Order ? 



Vaughan 
[Hesitates.'] 
I joined, and I'm one of their officers 

Lincoln 
[Carefully.] 
Of their inner council? 

Vaughan 
Yes 

Lincoln 
You — know — all their signs and passwords ? 

Vaughan 

Every one 

Lincoln 
[With sudden deep excitement.] 
Young man, you may have thought you came here to- 
night with murder in your heart — but Almighty God 
sent you for a different purpose ! 

Vaugh/ n 
What do you mean? 

Lincoln 
You'll stand by me now, through thick and thin? 

cm] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Vaughan 
[Passionately.] 

I'd count it an honor to die for you ! 



Lincoln 
Well, I'm going to ask you to do something harder than 
that for a man of sensitive honor. These Copper- 
head traitors took advantage of your illness and 
grief over your father to inveigle you into a scheme 
of high treason 

Vaughan 

\Yhat ! 

Lincoln 
You believed their purpose to be patriotic — didn't 

you ? 

Vaughan 

Of course 

Lincoln 
[Seizing Baker's Report.] 
This document from Baker's Office contains the original 
order of their Chief for an uprising on the night 
of the election 

Vaughan 
Uprising for what ? 

Lincoln 
To overturn the Government, recognize the Confederacy, 
and divide the Union 

Vaughan 

Is it possible ! 

[112] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
You know — after what has passed between us to-night — 
that I speak the truth 

Vaughan 

Yes ! 

Lincoln 

You came in here to demand a trial for your father — • 
and find him in reality justly condemned to death. 
I have pardoned him. I want you to atone for his 
wrongs and your own tragic mistake, by placing 
yourself with the signs and passwords of that 
Society at my disposal. You have been basely de- 
ceived and betrayed — will you do it? 

Vaughan 
If my country calls — yes — and I'll thank God for the 
chance to atone ! 

Lincoln 

Good ! You are the one man on earth to-night 

whom I need and didn't think I could get! I'm 
going to send you on a dangerous mission. I need 
two things to carry this election and save the Union 
— a single victory in the field to lift our people out 
of the dumps, and a word from Jefferson Davis 
that there can be no peace save in division! I know 
Davis. We were both born in Kentucky, on almost 
the same djiy. He holds that position. But the 
peace party of the North refuse to believe it. They 
say he will compromise. Now I've sent two men 
down there — Colonel Jacquess, a Methodist clergy- 
man, of our hospital service, and John R. Gilmore 
[ii3] 

k_ La~ it. 1 1 * ? 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

of the Tribune, old Greeley's paper. They go as 
private citizens of the North, who desire peace. 
They are to draw Davis out, and get his declaration 
for me. Technically, they are spies — for they have 
no credentials. They may be imprisoned or ex- 
ecuted. They passed through our lines but twenty 
miles from Richmond, seven days ago. I haven't 
been able to hear from them. The silence is omi- 
nous. 

Vaughan 
And you wish me to find out what has happened to 
them ? 

Lincoln 
[Eagerly.'] 
I want another man in Richmond, quick — whose identity 
will be unknown — a man who can win the con- 
fidence of Judah P. Benjamin, Davis' Secretary of 
State, who is preventing my interview with the Con- 
federate President. Benjamin is the ablest and by 
far the most dangerous man in the South to-day. I 

know from this document on my desk 

[Touches Baker's Report.] 

that he is in close touch with the Copperhead Socie- 
ties of the North — if his keen mind is not actually 
directing them. You have their signs and pass- 
words. It seems too good to be true! If you carry- 
to Benjamin a special report of this planned upris- 
ing, you can gain his confidence, and persuade him 
to let my men see Davis. If you can only get 
through the lines and reach him before being ar- 
rested ! 

[114] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Vaughan 
I've a brother in General Lee's army — sir — for whom 
I've often been mistaken before the war 

Lincoln 

That's great ! 

Vaughan 
He is an officer too — a First Lieutenant. 

Lincoln 
Fine ! Before you go, confer with Baker. He will give 
you the names of our agents in Richmond and de- 
cide on your disguise. He will probably put you 
in Confederate uniform and make out in your 
brother's name a rebel leave of absence to use in 
an emergency. You are a Southern man. Your ac- 
cent is perfect. Your chances of success great. I 

want you to leave within an hour 

[He writes on two cards.] 

Vaughan 
In five minutes, if you wish 

Lincoln 
If you can get for Jacquess and Gilmore a hearing and 
they are allowed to return and tell their story, all 
right — your work in Richmond is done. But if they 
are imprisoned or executed, report this fact and 
Mr. Davis' answer, and it will be doubly effective — 
you understand ? 

Vaughan 
Perfectly, sir 

[us] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 

That's your first job. Your next will be to get a special 
message through from inside the Confederacy to 
General Sherman, who is laying siege to Atlanta. 
[Takes tip telegram.] 

This message from him, received this morning, says that 
he has as yet been unable to locate and count up 
Hood's second line of defense which he must fight 
in a flank movement. Take the train from Rich- 
mond to Atlanta. Keep your eyes open every foot 
of the way. Find out from inside, the position of 
this second line, and the number of regiments hold- 
ing it. Make no mistake about it. Break through to 
Sherman, and report to him 

Vaughan 
A tough job, sir — but I believe I can do it 



Lincoln 

That's the way to talk, my boy ! When you reach 

General Sherman, you will deliver to him a verbal 
message — I'll give you a sign that will identify you. 
This is the big thing I'm sending you to do. I could 
telegraph my order direct to Sherman, but it would 
have to be filed in the War Office, and might offend 
General Grant. As an officer, you understand 

that 

Vaughan 

Clearly, sir 

Lincoln 
For this reason I'm sending you on this urgent and dan- 
gerous business. Tell General Sherman for me, that 
[116] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

if he can take Atlanta at once, the blow will lift 
our people from despair, carry the election, and save 
the Union! I send by you the order for him to 
strike. If he wins, the order will remain a secret — 
the credit shall all be his! If he strikes and loses, 
I'll publish my order and take the blame on my- 
self. — You think you can do this ? 

Vaughan 
[Quietly.'] 
I'll do it — or I'll die trying, sir 



Lincoln 
[Writing on the back of his card.] 
All right, take this card to Stanton's Office and tell him 
what I've told you. Ask him to arrange to send you 
by boat to Aquia, Virginia, by horse from there. 
This card to Baker's Office — Return here for your 
papers, and say good-by to your sweetheart 

Vaughan 

At once, sir 

Lincoln 
My boy — I trust you implicitly! My mother's God has 
been talking to me since you entered this room! 
You've lifted my spirit to the heights! 
[Vaughan exits.] 



CURTAIN 



ACT III 

Scene i 

Set Scene: Jefferson Davis' room in the Confederate 
Capitol at Richmond, two days later. A long table 
is on the right. Two small tables on left. Doors 
right and left, and mantel center. 

At Rise: A Doorman in Confederate uniform arranges 
the chairs about a long table as if for a Cabinet 
Meeting. 
[Benjamin enters.'] 

Benjamin 
Mr. Davis has not yet arrived ? 

The Doorman 
Not yet, Mr. Benjamin — I am expecting him at ten 
o'clock — it's now a quarter of 

Benjamin 
I've asked a young man to wait in your room for me — • 
has he come ? 

The Doorman 
He's there now — sir 

Benjamin 

You've talked with him freely ? 

[118] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

The Doorman 
[Laughs. ] 
Oh, yes, sir — we've been swappin' yarns for half an 

hour 

Benjamin 
I thought so — that's why I asked him to wait in your 

room 

The Doorman 
Well, I always try to be sociable ! 

Benjamin 
I know ! Did you get much out of him? 

The Doorman 
Why, how — how do ye mean? 

Benjamin 
Find out anything about his people — where he came 
from, where he's going to — what he's doing in Rich- 
mond? 

The Doorman 
Oh, no, sir ! He's full of fun — he kept me laughin' most 

o' the time 

Benjamin 

I see ! 

[Laughs.] 
He knows his business. Show him in. 

The Doorman 
Yes, sir — — 



[Benjamin seats himself at one of the small tables 
at left and examines his schedule for the day's 
work. The Doorman opens the door and shows 

[119] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Vaughan in, dressed in Confederate uniform. 
Benjamin rises and greets him cordially.] 

Ben j am in 

Good morning, young man 

[Gives Vaughan the Sign of the Knights of the 
Golden Circle.'] 

Vaughan 
[Returns Sign.] 

Good morning. Mr. Benjamin — I hope you've rested 
well ? 

Benjamin 

Xot so well as usual — the truth is I've been wrestling 
all night with the problem of Jacquess and Gilmore. 
I've confirmed your view that they have given their 
real names. Gilmore is a reporter of the Xew York 
Tribune and Colonel Jacquess is a Methodist clergy- 
man well known in the hospital service, in fact 
famous for his kindly treatment of Southern 

prisoners 

Vaughan 

Just as I told you 

Benjamin 

I've allowed the Commissioner of Exchange who has 
been holding them in custody to bring them here 
this morning 

Vaughan 

Good! 

Benjamin 
Last night, I made up my mind to take your advice and 

to let them see Mr. Davis 

[120] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Vaughan 
I'm glad 

Benjamin 
This morning I'm puzzling over it ! 

Vaughan 
[Showing his disappointment.'] 

Why ? 

Benjamin 
I agree with you that we could use the interview for 
our own purposes. But the trouble is, Mr. Davis is 
soft-hearted sometimes. He may refuse to take my 
advice. He may let these men go. 

Vaughan 
You surely can depend on his allowing you to hold them 
in Libby Prison until after the election? 

Benjamin 
I'm not sure of it. If he takes a notion to let them go — 
he's as stubborn as a mule. 

Vaughan 
All right — Let me be present at the interview and take 
notes. If Mr. Davis makes an important declara- 
tion about peace and lets them go, I'll beat them 
to the North and give your version of the interview 

first ! 

Benjamin 
[Hesitating.'] 
I might do that — yes ! 

[121] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Vaughan 
I could not only head off any injury from their report, 
but I could give it a twist that would make it a 

boomerang on Lincoln 

[Benjamin hesitates while Vaughan watches him 
breathlessly.] 

Benjamin 
[Thinking.'] 
You could act as my special secretary for the meeting 
and take shorthand notes — or pretend to- 

Vaughan 
I take shorthand. I've been a reporter in Washing- 
ton 

Benjamin 
Then it would be easy. 

VaughaN 
No matter what is said, I can make a report that will 
harden the purpose of our Societies to swing the 
uprising on the night of the election. 

Benjamin 
You are sure the order for the revolt against the Lincoln 
Government has been issued? 

Vaughan 
Absolutely sure. 

Benjamin 
I know they have discussed it and may have decided to 
do it, but are the actual preparations under way? 

Vaughan 
In every Lodge of the Knights of the Golden Circle, the 
command is now on record. Our forces are being 
[122] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

drilled. I have read the original order with the 
signature of the Commander — 

Benjamin 

[Elated.] 
It's great news you've brought us, young man — great 

news ! 

[Benjamin 1 hesitates and Vaughan watches him.] 
All right, we'll risk it ! 

[Vaughan shows his secret joy and deep excite- 
ment.'] 
These men are Lincoln's spies beyond a doubt — but we'll 

dig out of them all the information possible, and 

then use them for our purpose 

[The Doorman enters.] 

The Doorman 

Judge Ould, the Commissioner of Exchange 

[Ould enters.] 

Ould 
Our visitors are outside, Mr. Benjamin. 

Benjamin 
You understand, Judge Ould, that these men are prison- 
ers of war in your charge as Exchange Commis- 
sioner ? 

Ould 
I am painfully aware of that fact, sir — and the responsi- 
bility is not to my liking. 

Benjamin 
While in Richmond, they are to be held under the strict- 
est guard and on no conditions allowed a liberty ex- 
cept by my order, or the order of the President. 
[123] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Oct 

I can trust them here with you, I hope, for half an hour? 

NJAMIN 

You can. Show them in. 

[Vaughan takes his seat at the small tabic 

njaion zcho gives him a note book and he 
prepares to take notes. Ov :ers conduct- 

ing Jacquess and Gilmore.] 

Ould 
Colonel Tames F. Jacquess and Mr. John R. Gilmore, — 

Mr. Secretary :: State 

[Ould bows and exits, while Benjamin ad: 

:h marked cordiality to greet his z'isitors. He 
does not shake hands but bows politely.] 

NJAMEN 

I am delighted to see you. gentlemen — pray be seated. 
[The two men sit and Gilmore shoots at Vaughan 
a look of startled recognition which Vaughan 
fails to return.'] 
You bring overtures from your Government I trust. 

Jacquess 

Xo, sir, we bring no overtures 



Gilmore 
"We have no authority from our Government 

Jacqu 

We have come simply as private citizens to know what 
terms will be acceptable to Mr. Davis for ending the 
wa r \ 

[124] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Benjamin 
You are acquainted with Mr. Lincoln's views, however? 

Jacouess 

One of us is fully 

Benjamin 
I supposed so. May I ask, did Mr. Lincoln in any way 
authorize you to come here? 

GlLMORE 

No, sir. We came on his pass through the lines, of 
course, but not by his request. 

Jacouess 
We came, Mr. Benjamin, simply as men and Christians, 
not as diplomats, hoping in a frank talk with Mr. 
Davis to discover some way by which this war may 
be stopped. 

Benjamin 
On my advice, gentlemen, Mr. Davis will see you 

Jaquess and Gilmore 

Thank you 

Benjamin 

I think he is here now 

[Benjamin exits.} 

Gilmore 
[In low tones to Vaughan.] 
What are you doing here ? 

Vaughan 
Writing ! I don't know you 

Gilmore 
The hell you don't! 

[125] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Vaughan 
No! 

GlLMORE 

We worked on the same paper in Washington, once- 



Vaughan 
Never saw you before 

GlLMORE 

Get- word-through-will you ! We're in a trap ! 

Vaughan 
Shut your damned trap! or we'll both make our break- 
fast on lead at sunrise to-morrow morning! Get 
back to your seat ! 

[The sound of approaching steps are heard. Ben- 
jamin enters as Gilmore drops into his seat.] 

Benjamin 
Gentlemen : The President of the Confederate States of 
America ! 

[Davis enters and bozvs to his visitors, wJw rise. 
His figure is about five foot ten and quite thin. 
His features are typically the Southern scholar 
and thinker with angular cheeks and high cheek 
bones. His iron gray hair is long and thick and 
inclined to curl at the ends. His whiskers are 
thin and trimmed farmer fashion, on the lozcer 
end of his strong chin. His eyes -flash with strong 
vitality. His forehead is broad, his mouth strong. 
He zvears a brown suit of foreign cloth which fits 
him perfectly. His shoulders slightly droop. His 

[126] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

manner is easy and graceful, his voice charming 
and cultured.'] 

Davis 
I am glad to meet you, gentlemen. You are very wel- 
come to Richmond. 

GlLMORE 

We thank you, Air. Davis. 

Davis 
Mr. Benjamin tells me that you have asked to see me 



[He pauses and waits for his visitors to finish the 
sentence.'] 

Jacquess 
Yes, sir. Our people want Peace. Your people do. 
We have come to ask how it may be brought about? 

Davis 
Very simply. Withdraw your armies from the South, 
let us alone and Peace comes at once. 

Jacquess 
But we cannot let you alone so long as you seek to divide 
the Union. 

Daves 
I know. You deny us, what you exact for yourselves — 
the right of self-government. 

Jacquess 
Even so, Mr. Davis, we cannot fight forever. The war 
must end sometime. We must finally agree on 
something. Can we not find the basis of agreement 
now, and stop this slaughter? 
[Vaughan takes notes rapidly.] 
[127] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Davis 
I wish peace as much as you do. I deplore bloodshed. 
But I feel that not one drop of this blood is on my 
hands. I can look up to God and say this. I tried 
to avert this war. I saw it coming and for twelve 
years I worked day and night to prevent it. The 
North was mad and blind and would not let us 
govern ourselves, and now it must go on until the 
last man of this generation falls in his tracks and 
their children seize their muskets and fight our 
battle — unless you acknowledge our right to self- 
government. We are not fighting for Slavery. We 
are fighting for independence and that or extermina- 
tion we will have 

Jacquess 
[Protesting.'] 
We have no wish to exterminate the South! But we 
must crush your armies. Is it not already nearly 
done? Grant has shut you up in Richmond, and 
Sherman is before Atlanta. 

Davis 
[Laughs. ] 
You don't seem to understand the situation ! We're not 
exactly shut up in Richmond yet. If your papers 
tell the truth, it is your Capitol that is in danger, 
not ours. Lee's front has never yet been broken. 
He holds Grant, invades the North and shells Wash- 
ington. Sherman, to be sure, is before Atlanta. 
But suppose he is ? His position is a dangerous one. 
The further he goes from his base of supplies, the 

[128] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

more disastrous defeat must be. And his defeat 
may be at hand. 

Jacouess 
And yet, the odds are overwhelmingly against you. How- 
can you hope for success in the end? 

Davis 

My friend, the South stands for a principle — their equal 
rights under the Constitution which their fathers 
created. This country has always been a Republic 
of Republics — not an Empire. We are fighting for 
the right of local self-government which we won 
from the tyrants of the old world. The states of 
the Union have always been sovereign. We never 
paused to figure on success or failure, sir. Five 
million Southern freemen drew their sword against 
twenty millions because their rights had been in- 
vaded. 

Jacouess 

And yet, Mr. Davis, you know as well as I that five 
millions cannot hold out forever against twenty. 
Have we not reached the end ? 

Davis 

Hardly ! Do you think there are twenty millions in the 

North still determined to crush us? If so, let me 

tell you that I am better informed on the present 

situation inside your lines than you are. The North 

at this moment is hopelessly divided, sir 

[Benjamin exchanges signs with Vaughan.] 

Jacquess 
The dispute then with your government is narrowed to 
this — union — or disunion ? 
[129] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Davis 
Let us say independence or subjugation. We mean to 
govern ourselves. We will hold this principle if we 
have to see every Southern plantation sacked and 

every city in flames 

[Jacquess and Gilmore rise. Vaughan catches 
Gilmore's eye.] 

Jacquess 

I am sorry, sir. 

(Davis takes Jacquess' hand in both his in the same 
way Lincoln did.] 

Davis 
I respect your character, Colonel Jacquess and your 
motives and I wish you well — every good wish pos- 
sible consistent with the interests of the Confeder- 
acy 

[He presses Gilmore's hand and follows them to 
the door.] 

Jacquess 
Thank you. 

Davis 
[At door.] 
And say to Mr. Lincoln that I shall be pleased to receive 
proposals for peace direct from him, at any time, on 
the basis of our independence. It will be useless to 
approach me with any other. 
[Jacquess and Gilmore exit and Ould reenters.] 

Ould 
[To Davis.] 
And shall I conduct these gentlemen back to Grant's 
lines? 

[130] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Benjamin 
[Quicjzly.] 

No, these men are spies straight from Lincoln's desk. 
It's the slyest trick the old fox has ever tried to play 
on us. He knows that McClellan's election on a 
peace platform is a certainty. He's after ammuni- 
tion for this campaign. We dare not play into his 
hands ! Our very life may depend on it ! Make no 
mistake — these men must be locked up to-night and 
shot at sunrise. 

Ould 
[Shakes his head.] 

I wouldn't do it if I were you 

Benjamin 
Why? 

Ould 

For one reason this 

[Ould unfolds a note.] 
Ben Butler sent this note to me by their hands. It was 
sealed. Read it. 

Davis 
[Interrupting.] 

Just a moment 

[To The Doorman.] 
General Lee is in the War Office — ask him if he can see 
me for a few minutes, please. 
[The Doorman bows and exits.] 
Go on, gentlemen. 

Ould 
[Tb Bex j Aum-^handing him the npte.] 
Read it ! 

[131] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Benjamin 
[Reading.] 
"If these men do not return to my lines within ten days, 
I shall demand them, and if you don't produce them 
— I'll execute two for one. 

"(Signed) B. F. Butler." 

Benjamin 
[Angrily.'} 
Bluff! Bluff! 

Davis 
He's a beast. He'll do it. 

Benjamin 
All right! Let him try it! Two can play that game. 
We can execute four for one 

Davis 
I don't like these bloody reprisals. There's no end, once 
we begin. 

Benjamin 
The decision is yours, sir. 

Davis 
I reserve my decision. I'll give it to you presently. I 
want a word with General Lee — first — if you will 
give me this room. 

Benjamin 
Certainly, we'll retire until you're ready. This way. 

[Benjamin conducts Vaughan and Ould into the 
room right — opposite the door through which 
Jacquess and Gilmore made their exit. — The 
Doorman enters and announces.] 
[132] 






A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

The Doorman 
General Lee! 

Davis 
[Advances cordially and takes Lee's hand in both 
his.] 
Thank you, General. I wish to consult you first on a 
peculiar matter — of small importance from one 
point of view — of tremendous importance from an- 
other. Two men have been passed into our lines to 
sound me on the question of Peace. I have just 
talked with them. I am certain — so is Benjamin — 
that they come straight from Lincoln though they 
have no credentials. Benjamin demands their ex- 
ecution — Judge Ould protests. Are they spies ? 

Lee 
Technically, yes — morally, no. 

Davis 
Thank you. Before I decide whether to let these men 
go with a message to the North, I must ask you one 

or two questions 

Lee 
At your service, sir. 

Davis 
How long can you hold Grant? 

Lee 
Certainly a year — unless 



Davis 

Yes? 

Lee 
Unless Atlanta falls. 

[133] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Davis 
And then? 

Lee 
If General Hood fails to hold Atlanta, Sherman can cut 
the South in two and my supplies fail. My men are 
living now on parched corn. If Sherman takes 
Atlanta, I cannot get the corn. 

Davis 
What is the spirit of your men at this moment, General ? 

Lee 

A more formidable force was never set in motion than 
the army I command, sir. They are our stark 
fighters — men who individually or in the mass can 
be depended on for any feat of arms in the power of 
mortals to accomplish. I know them from expe- 
rience. They will blanch at nothing — yet they must 
have food. 

Davis 

You shall have it. But after one year — then what? 

Lee 
It's solely a question of man power, sir. I must have 
more men. 

Davis 
And you suggest? 

Lee 
That you immediately begin to arm and drill 500,000 
negroes for my command. 

Davis 
And you think they would make good soldiers ? 

[134] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lee 
Led by their old masters — they'll fight — to a man. 

Davis 

It would be necessary to give each black volunteer his 
freedom? 

Lee 

Of course. I, as you know, freed my own slaves before 
entering the service of the South. It is one of the 
ironies of Fate that I am supposed to be fighting 
for slavery — I who refuse to own a slave and my 
opponent General Grant is through his wife's estate 
a slaveholder. Slavery is doomed, sir. It can 
never survive this tragedy. The Legislature of 
Virginia came within one vote of freeing her slaves, 
years ago. 

Davis 

I know. But the great Gulf States and South Carolina 
with their majority of Negro population will never 
agree to the arming of half a million slaves. 

Lee 
And you will allow Mississippi, Louisiana, and South 
Carolina to defeat a plan necessary to save the life 
of the Confederacy? 

Davis 
The States are sovereign, General Lee — for this prin- 
ciple we are fighting. 

Lee 
Then I think it may be time to ask ourselves, heart to 
heart, the question whether the Confederacy, as or- 
[135] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPL E 

ganized, does not carry within its own body the 
seeds of death? The rights of a state must some- 
where yield to the supreme power of a nation. The 
Negro will make a brave soldier, and he can save 
the South. Will you use him? 

Davis 
I'll consider your suggestion, General, but I can't see it — 
I can't see it now. I won't detain you longer. 
[General Lee salutes and exits — Davis goes to the 
opposite door — opens it and calls.] 
I am ready, gentlemen. 

[Ould, Benjamin and Vaughan reenter.] 

Benjamin 
You have decided? 

Davis 
Yes. 

[He sits and writes a pass.] 
It is probably a bad business for us 



Benjamin 
There can be no doubt about that, sir- 



Davis 
But it would alienate many of our Northern friends if 

we held these men. I have decided to let them 

go. Give them this pass. 

[Hands pass to Ould.] 
Show them through the hospitals and Libby Prison and 

conduct them back to General Grant's lines. 

[136] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

OULD 

You have acted wisely, sir. 

Benjamin 
[With deep feeling to Vaughan.] 
He has made exactly the blunder I feared 



Vaughan 
[With elation.'] 
We'll hope for the best, sir ! With the twist I'll give the 
news 

CURTAIN 



Scene ii 

Set Scene: The same as Acts I and II, except that a 
small table has been placed down center on the side 
near Lincoln's desk. A telegraph instrument has 
been installed on this table. 

At Rise: At rise, the audience sees only Lincoln and 
Operator, the lights gradually rise until full day 
shows the entire room. It is the morning of Septem- 
ber 3, 1864. 

Lincoln 
[Bending over the key.] 
Try to get Atlanta again, my boy. 

[The Operator tries again and again to get At- 
lanta.] 

Operator 
It's no use, sir 

[137] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
We don't seem to have any luck, do we? My messenger 
should have reached Sherman! He must be there 
now. He must be there — he can't be lost! 
[Laughs forlornly.'] 

Two whole days I've listened to that thing click 

[The Operator calls Atlanta with a peculiar loud 
call] 
Is that the word Atlanta you're clicking off? 

Operator 
Yes, sir — calling — over this wire we have a direct con- 
nection to-day. The trouble is Sherman's old head- 
quarters don't answer either. 

Lincoln 
Call Atlanta again. Do it slowly. I want to learn it — 

Uncle Billy 

[The Operator clicks off each letter in the Morse 
Code, spelling it slowly.] 
Must be there by this time! 

Operator 
A— T— L— A— N— T— A— G— A— Atlanta, Ga. 

Lincoln 
Once more. 

[The Operator repeats the call and Lincoln fol- 
lows it repeating after him.] 
I want to catch that as quick as you do — when it comes ! 

[Aside.] 
Oh, my God, why don't it come ! — Why don't it come ! 
[Nicolay enters.] 

[138] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

NlCOLAY 

The time's up. Raymond and his damned Committee 
are here, sir, and insist on your final answer at 

once 

Lincoln 

Hold them back awhile. We're bound to hear something 
to-day. I promised them my decision this morning, 
I know—but I'm still full of foolish hopes. 

NlCOLAY 

They are not foolish hopes, — Chief ! 

Lincoln 
This machine here seems to think they are. The darn 
fool thing will talk one way but won't chirp the 
other. 

NlCOLAY 

What shall I tell them? 

Lincoln 
[Listening at the instrument.'] 
Anything — tell them a funny story! 

[Listening.] 
They need a laugh — the bunch of undertakers' 1 ! Waiting 
for me to deliver my corpse to them! — Restless, 
because I haven't given it up sooner ! 
[The sharp click of the telegraph receiver catches 
his ear and he starts to the table.] 

No — that wasn't it 

[Turns again to Nicolay.] 
Tell them positively, I will see them within half an hour. 
[Nicolay exits and Lincoln returns to his vigil by 
the telegraph table.] 

[139] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

How close can you get to Atlanta over the Chattanooga 

line ? 

Operator 
Twenty miles out is the last station that answers and 

he don't know what's the matter with the line. 

Lincoln 
Strange — we got closer than that yesterday — Sherman's 

on the move. . . . 

[Betty enters timidly."] 
That's certain. 

[Looking up."] 
Come right in, Miss Betty — I know what you want. 

Betty 
Nothing yet from General Sherman? 

Lincoln 

Nothing 

Betty 
And no message of any kind from John since he left? 

Lincoln 
Not yet. 

Betty 
Why — why hasn't he reported? 

Lincoln 
[Hopefully.] 
I'm sure — remember, sure to a moral certainty — that he 
left Richmond safely. 

Betty 
[Eagerly.] 
You hrve a message then? 

[140] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
Indirectl y ■ -. 

Betty 

Oh 

Lincoln 
[To Edward at door.'] 
Edward, ask Mr. Gilmore to step in here a minute. 

Edward 
Yes, sir. 

Lincoln 
Gilmore's report ought to be worth half a million votes 
for me — it may be worth something to you — 
[Gilmore enters.] 
Gilmore, did you see a handsome young fellow in Con- 
federate uniform taking notes at your interview 

with Davis 

Gilmore 
Yes, sir, and I knew him too 

Betty 
\Eagerly.~\ 
It was Captain Vaughan? 

Gilmore 
Sure ! He denied it, of course, but I knew him all right 

Betty 
He was well? 

Gilmore 
I never saw him looking better. He was scared stiff, of 
course, and so were we 

Betty 
Thank you ! 

[141] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
That'll do, Gilmore. I wish you'd help Nicolay choke that 
Committee off a little while — and you come with 
them when they break in — will you? 

Gilmore 
Gladly, Mr. President. 
[Gilmore exits.] 

Lincoln 
[To Betty lightly.] 
Now you've had some good news 



Betty 
[Forlornly.'] 
How long since any word came from General Sherman ? 

Lincoln 
Two days. I know the hole where he went in at. But 
I can't tell where the old varmint's going to come 

out 

Betty 
[Chokes.] 
If he ever comes out ! 

Lincoln 
Oh! He'll come out — ■ — 

[He stops and listens at the telegraph instrument 
again, and sighs in disappointment.] 
He'll come out somewhere — It's a habit Uncle Billy 

has 

Betty 
[Hopelessly.] 
They've no news at the War Department either. 

[142] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 

No news is generally good news from Sherman. 

[Betty turns away to hide her tears and Lincoln 

follows her with tender pleading.] 

Come, come, my dear — these tears won't do! You've 

got to help me now ! 

[Betty brushes the tears away.~\ 

I may have sent your lover to his death. I know that! 

But he went with a smile on his face and a great 

joy in his heart for the service he was doing his 

country 

Betty 

Yes — I know — I know — I'm proud of the honor you 

did him. 

Lincoln 
[Whispering.'] 

Give me a little lift, then 

[Pauses.] 
I'm just whistling to keep up my courage ! 

[He pauses again in an agony of suffering.] 
I know that he got to Atlanta 

[Pauses.] 
Sherman has disappeared! 

Betty 
Forgive me — I forgot. You're going to win. I feel it. I 
know it! 

Lincoln 
That's the way to talk! That's the way I'm talking to 
myself though I'm scared within an inch of my 

life 

[He pauses and goes over to the Operator — Betty 
following.] 

[143] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Say, boy — can't you beat it a little harder and make the 
blame thing talk for us? 

Operator 
I wish I could, sir. 

Lincoln 

Try him again 

[The Operator calls Atlanta and pauses — Lincoln 
and Betty bend over with breathless suspense. 
The instrument gives one click — Lincoln starts. 
The instrument stops.] 
Didn't the thing start to answer ? 

[The Operator shakes his head.] 
Call the War Office and ask Stanton to step over here — 
My God — why can't we hear ! 

Betty 
[Wistfully.] 
I'm not going to cry again — but I just want to ask one 
question — you won't mind? 

Lincoln 
As many as you like ! 

Betty 
He — he — had to enter Atlanta a spy, didn't he? 
[Sobs and catches herself.] 

Lincoln 

Yes — of course 

Betty 
Well, if he should be captured — could — they execute 
him without our knowing it? 
[144] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
They might — but he's a very bright young man! He'll 
be too smart for them 

Betty 

[Hopelessly.'] 
I don't know — I don't know ! 

Lincoln 
Now listen — ! I'm going to tell you something — I know! 
I've a sort of second sight that tells me things some- 
times, my dear. After the battle of Gettysburg I 
saw General Daniel E. Sickles in the hospital. They 
told me that he was mortally wounded and could 
not possibly live. / told General Sickles that he 
would live and get well, and he did! I saw his 
living body that day at work in health and strength 
as plainly as I see you! We have not heard from 
Captain Vaughan yet, but it will come — ! He has 
reached Atlanta. The General got my message. I 
know that. I felt it flash through the air from his 
soul to mine ! I can see you and your lover at this 
moment seated side by side smiling and happy 

Betty 
[In awe.] 

You — see — this ! 

Lincoln 
[In dreamy tones.] 
As plainly as I see the sunlight dancing on the leaves 

outside that window now 

[Stanton enters and Lincoln turns to meet him 
eagerly.] 

[145] 



A MAX OF THE PEOPLE 

5: 
You've no ne 

Lincoln 
I sent for you, to ask that 

Stanton 
ring 

LINCOLN 

[In low tot::: 
What does it mean? 

Stanton 
A storm swept Atlanta y e st e rday — the wires may be all 

down 

Lincoln 
You think that's it — *- ? 

No— I don't. 
Xeither do I 



Stant m 

Lincoln 



Stanton 

Something- big has happened ! Sherman has either I 

.Atlanta or Hood has cut his communications and 
his army may be imperiled. 

Lincoln 
[His foad droop* '_ 
s what I think too — God helf 

[The sharp click of instrument 

ca:. :ross to the tabic and 

list : committee headed by Raymond and 

Stevens crowd through the door against the pro- 

• 

"[146] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

NlCOLAY 

I promised you an answer in half an hour, gentleman! 
— you must wait. 

Raymond 
Not another minute! 

Stevens 
[Waving a telegram.] 
The matter is too urgent ! 

Lincoln 
All right — John — let 'em in — I'm ready. 

Raymond 
We have just heard a most painful and startling piece 
of news from the War Department 

Lincoln 

[To Stanton.] 
War Department 

[Low voice.] 
— What is it, Stanton? 

Stanton 
Something I didn't believe and wouldn't repeat to you. 

Lincoln 
[Whispering to Operator.] 
Pull for me, boy, pull for me — keep picking at that thing ! 

Stevens 
[Triumphantly.'] 
You were advised to withhold the new draft of men 
until after the election ! Well, read that copy of a 
[147] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

telegram from New York, just received by General 

Halleck, sir! 

[Offers telegram to Lincoln and he refuses to take 

it-] 

Lincoln 
I don't want to read it, Stevens. Your face is enough 
for me. It must be bad, or you wouldn't be so 
happy. You're almost smiling! 

Stevens 
Read it! 

Lincoln 
[Ignoring the proffered telegram.] 
You know, Stevens, you remind of an old farmer I knew 

in Illinois 

[The committee gather around Lincoln eager for 
the story, glancing at Stevens. 

Stevens 
Go on, give 'em the joke. It's your funeral — not mine ! 

Lincoln 
[Facing the committee.'] 
This old farmer raised the biggest hog ever seen in the 
county. He was so fat the news of his size spread 
over the country and people came from far and near 
to see this wonder in pork. A stranger came up 
one day and asked the farmer to see him. The old 
man said: "Wal I've got sech a animal an' he's the 
biggest one I ever seed. I'll say that. But so many 
folks are comin' here pesterin' me to look at him. 
I've decided to charge a shillin' a look." The 

[i 4 8] 






A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

stranger put his hand in his pocket, pulled out the 
money, paid the shilling, stared at the old man, 
turned and walked away. The farmer called after 
him — "Hi — there — ain't yer goin' ter see the hog?" 
"No" — the fellow answered — "I've seen you! I've 
got my money's worth." 

[All laugh except Stevens. During the laugh Lin- 
coln bends over the telegraph instrument — in low 
tones.] 
How goes it, boy? How goes it? 

[The Operator shakes his head.] 

Not a click ? 

[Operator shakes his head again — and Lincoln's 
face contracts in suffering.] 

Stevens 
Just a minute, Mr. President, — I'll give you the telegram 
if you won't read it. 

Lincoln 
Fire away, Stevens, if it makes you happy. 

Stevens 
[Reading.] 

"New York, Sept. 3, 1864. 
"The Federal authorities have just discovered a nation- 
wide conspiracy to resist by force of arms the new 
draft. It will be necessary for General Grant to 
detach half his army from Lee's front immediately 
to put down this counter revolution. Send these 
soldiers without delay to our great cities." 
The signature is in code. 

[149] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Raymond 
It's the blackest news yet, sir — and it's true. 

Stevens 
You must realize that we cannot delay a moment in plac- 
ing another man at the head of the ticket. 
[There is a moment of dead silence while all watch 
Lincoln's face. Suddenly the sharp click of the 
telegraph instrument begins to spell the word 
A-T-lanta. Lincoln starts — his face Hashing 
with excitement.'] 

Lincoln 
What's that? 

[He follows breathlessly the spelling of the full 
word — his face expressing his joy.] 

Operator 
Mr. President — It's come! It's here! 

[Lincoln rushes to the table, the crowd follow- 
ing.] 
It's for you, sir ! 

Lincoln 
Out with it, boy, word for word as you get it ! 

Operator 
[Click- click.] 
Atlanta — 

[Click-click.] 
Georgia — 

[ Click-click-click. ] 
September 3, 1864. 

[150] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 
Operator 



Glory to God! 



[Click-click.'} 

— Atlanta 

\_C lick- click.'] 
— is ours — 

[ Click-click-click.'] 
and fairly won — W. T. Sherman 

Lincoln 
O my soul, lift up thy head ! 

[To Betty.] 
Go tell Mother, quick, tell her to come here ! 

[Betty exits running.] 

Nicolay 
Three cheers for General William Tecumseh Sherman! 

All Shout 
Sherman ! Sherman ! Sherman ! 

[When the shout dies away Lincoln lifts his head 
solemnly and cries.] 

Lincoln 
Unto thee, O God, we give all the praise now and for- 
ever more ! 

[Mrs. Lincoln enters with Betty and rushes to 
meet the President. He takes her in his arms ] 
Mother ! It's all right ! — Uncle Billy's there ! 

Mrs. Lincoln 
You'll never doubt again? 

[151] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

Lincoln 



Never !- 



[Turning to the committee.] 
My friends ! A poem is singing in my heart ! 

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the 

Lord! 
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of 

wrath are stored : 
He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift 

sword — 
His truth is marching on ! 

"He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call 

retreat ! 
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment 

seat: 
Oh! Be swift my soul to answer Him! Be jubilant my 

feet! 
Our God is marching on !" 

Stanton 
That draft will be all right, Stevens ! Xow all together ! 
[Stanton leads and all sing.] 
[Lincoln listens with boned head.] 

We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thou- 
sand more, 

From Mississippi's winding stream and from New Eng- 
land's shore ; 

We leave our plows and workshop, our wives and 
children dear, 

[152] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

With hearts too full for utterance, with but a single tear, 
We dare not look behind us but steadfastly before, 
We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thou- 
sand more! 

Chorus 

We are coming, we are coming, our Union to restore ! 

We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thou- 
sand more, 

We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thou- 
sand more! 

Lincoln 
And remember, gentlemen, U. S. Grant sent Sherman on 
that mission. You know I didn't remove him ! Well, 
Raymond, what say you, now! 

Raymond 
It's glorious. It's a miracle! Lee's army can't survive. 
The end is sure! McClellan is beaten — the Union 
is saved! 

Lincoln 
What say you all ? 

A Committeeman 
Your triumph is sure ! 

Another Committeeman 
You'll sweep the nation, sir ! 

Nicolay 
Three cheers for the old President and three cheers for 
the new! 

[153] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

All 
Lincoln ! Lincoln ! Lincoln ! 

[All join except Stevens, whose face remains a 
mask.] 

Lincoln 
Come on, Stevens, smile! Take a chance. It may kill 
you, but my Lord, man, take a chance! 

Stevens 
You're not elected yet, sir — and such levity ill becomes a 
Nation's Chief in these tragic hours 

Lincoln 
[Laughs.] 
If I couldn't laugh I'd have died long ago at this job ! 



CURTAIN 



EPILOGUE 

Set Scene : The great pillars of the Capitol at Washing- 
ton Ull the entire stage from arch to arch. In the 
foreground stands the platform on which the Jus- 
tices of the Supreme Court of the United States, 
headed by Salmon P. Ch<ise, Chief Justice, are 
grouped about the President, who is delivering his 
Second Inaugural. John Vaughan beside Betty 
Winter is conspicuously leading the applause. 

At Rise: The President is reading his Inaugural. A 
great burst of cheering follows the sentence he is 
closing before the curtain rises: 

Lincoln 
[Before rise.] 

Shall we discern therein any departure from those divine 
attributes which the believers in a living God always 
ascribe to Him? 
[Applause as curtain rises.] 

Fondly do we hope — fervently do we pray — that this 
mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. 
Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth 
piled by the bondman's two hundred and fifty years 
of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every 
drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by 
another drawn with the sword, as was said three 
thousand years ago, so still it must be said, "The 

[155] 



A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 

judgments of the Lord are true and righteous alto- 
gether." 
[Applause.'] 
With malice toward none ; with charity for all ; with firm- 
ness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let 
us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind 
up 'the nation's wounds ; to care for him who shall 
have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his 
orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a 
just and lasting peace among ourselves and all na- 
tions. 

[Fade out with the light on Lincoln's face as he ut- 
ters the last word.] 



CURTAIN 

(i) 









•5K 






























V- \. 






V J? 












*°*"' 






-*. * 






Deacidified using the Bookkeeper proceM 
Neutralizing agent Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: Sept 2009 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVAT10I 

111 Thomson Park Drrve 
Cranberry Township. PA 16066 



y ....> v<. 






*^ c ° " • • ^ cr • l ' * <• ^> 











AMI .W2? .w^ 



